City of Cape Town Traffic Officers arrested nine suspects, foiled an attempted hijacking, and confiscated 11 cellphones during operations across the city this week.
During afternoon patrols along Nelson Mandela Boulevard and Table Bay Boulevard on Tuesday 24 July 2012, City Traffic Officers confiscated 11 cellphones from motorists caught using them while driving. All of the offending motorists handed over their phones without any protest and some admitted that they were just taking a chance even though they knew the consequences if they were caught.
In addition, officers issued 68 traffic fines for various offences, including disobeying the channelising line, overtaking on the shoulder, driving over a painted island, and driving without a licence – amongst others.
The following speeding offences were recorded:
- 150 offences on Nelson Mandela Boulevard, between Roodebloem Road and Browning Road (with the highest speed recorded at 135km/h)
- 420 offences on Table Bay Boulevard, between Christiaan Barnard Street and Lower Church Street (with the highest speed recorded at 129km/h)
- 235 offences on the N2, between Jan Smuts Drive and Raapenberg Road (with the highest speed recorded at 128km/h)
- 210 offences on Marine Drive, between Neptune Street and Milner Road (with the highest speed recorded at 110km/h)
During an operation in Atlantis on Sunday 22 July 2012, City Traffic Officers arrested eight motorists on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol. One motorist’s breathalyser test registered 1,06mg of alcohol per 1 000ml of breath. Another motorist was arrested during the same operation for using a fraudulent drivers licence.
Later, Officers suspended 12 unroadworthy vehicles due to various mechanical defects and fined 60 motorists for driving without a valid driver’s licence. In addition, 165 speeding offences were recorded along Old Darling Road, between Bloekombos and Philadelphia.
On Friday 20 July 2012, City Traffic Officers were alerted to an attempted hijacking at the intersection of Gordon’s Bay and Onverwacht Street in Strand. On arrival at the scene, they saw two suspects attempting to hijack a black Lexus at the intersection. The armed suspects fled the scene on foot and officers gave chase, apprehending both suspects with the assistance of the South African Police Services. The suspects were taken to Strand Police Station where a docket of attempted hijacking was opened.
