Cape Town Law Enforcement officers have recorded significant increases in enforcement activity over the past 12 months, including the closure of hundreds of illegal liquor outlets and a sharp rise in fines issued for by-law transgressions.

According to the City’s Safety and Security Directorate, officers issued more than half a million fines during the period under review, representing a 48% increase compared with the previous year. Officers reportedly also shut down 953 illegal shebeens as part of efforts to enforce municipal by-laws and address complaints from residents.

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said the department attended to more than 365 000 service requests during the year, a 17% increase from the previous year. Smith said these included complaints about illegal businesses, shebeens and noisy neighbours.

“We speak very often about the challenges that violent crime poses, but for many people, it is the struggle with an illegal business in the street or the shebeen on the corner or noisy neighbours that threaten their right to a peaceful existence.” added Smith

Meanwhile, the City’s Marine Unit recorded a near 500% increase in the recovery of poached Marine Living Resources. The unit recovered 14,967 poached marine resources during the latest 12-month period, compared with 2,540 in the previous year.

Smith added that the Marine Unit’s gains are due to closer cooperation with other agencies and an improved information network supported by the City’s reward system.

“The Marine Unit’s successes are evidence of closer working relationships with other agencies responsible for policing this space.”

Smith said the department continued to face significant pressure, with the increase in service requests highlighting the importance of by-law enforcement in protecting residents’ right to a peaceful existence.

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