Metro Police officers arrested a motorist in Parow last week, after he was found in possession of equipment which could be used to make fake documents, such as driver’s and learner’s licences. The suspect reportedly also had a fraudulent driver’s licence.

According to the City’s Safety and Security Directorate, officers were on patrol in Parow on Thursday when they noticed a driver acting suspiciously and trying to avoid looking at them.

The officers performed a traffic stop and found the ride-hailing driver’s licence to be fraudulent. While searching the vehicle, they found a device which could be used to produce fraudulent licences.

The driver was arrested for the production of fraudulent documents and was detained at Parow SAPS for further investigation.

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said in a statement that this is another example of public transport drivers putting the lives of their passengers, other road users and their own at risk.

“Not only is it a criminal offence to drive without a licence, and is it a safety risk, but it indicates a lack of proven competence,” added Smith

This was one of 365 arrests made by the City’s enforcement departments in the past week.

Smith says City officers have arrested a number of public transport drivers over the last few weeks for offences such as driving drunk, unlicensed drivers and for extreme overloading.

“Reliable public transport is essential for the city’s economic development, and while there are many challenges, incompetent, unfit and unlicensed drivers should not be one of those challenges,” added Smith

This week, Metro Police officers made 114 arrests, of which 21 were for driving under the influence, while their Law Enforcement counterparts made 183 arrests and issued 11,286 notices.

Traffic Officers recorded 68 arrests, of which 58 were for driving under the influence of alcohol, eight for reckless/negligent driving and two for other offences.

They also recorded 28,865 offences, impounded 170 public transport vehicles, and executed 928 warrants of arrest.

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