City of Cape Town Metro Police Officers arrested 17 suspects for various offences and issued 404 traffic fines during patrols and operations across the city since last weekend.
On Tuesday, 30 October 2012, an officer was on his way home when he observed a woman acting strangely on the side of Bosmansdam Road on the N7. Concerned for her safety, he stopped and found that she appeared to be under the influence of an illegal substance. He then took her to Bothasig Police Station, where it was established that she was under the influence of tik. Officers found a packet of tik as well as a tik lollie containing tik in her pocket. The 24 year-old suspect was arrested for possession of illegal narcotics.
Later that day, whilst conducting general patrols in the Cape Town CBD, Metro Police Officers searched a suspicious-looking male. They found what appeared to be cocaine in a glass container and took him to the Cape Town Central Police Station. There, it was established that the substance was indeed cocaine and the 47 year-old suspect was arrested for possession of illegal narcotics.
During patrols in Hanover Park on Monday, 29 October 2012, officers were driving down Hanover Park Avenue, approaching Surran Road, when they heard two gun shots from the direction of Murray Court. They drove towards the sound and saw a male running with a firearm in his hands. They immediately gave chase and apprehended the suspect in Phillans Walk, where he was found hiding inside an informal structure. They recovered a black Beretta Parabellum 9mm firearm and nine 9mm rounds of ammunition on the side of the road nearby. The suspect was arrested and charged with possession of an illegal firearm as well as discharging a firearm in a municipal area. Forensic investigators tested the suspect for gunpowder residue and the firearm will be sent for ballistic testing to determine if it can be linked to other crimes.
On Sunday morning, 28 October 2012, members of the Metro Police Camera Response Unit were conducting general patrols in the Cape Town CBD when they pulled over a vehicle that was heavily overloaded. The driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol and was taken to the Cape Town Central Police Station for detention.
Members of the Metro Police Camera Response Unit attended to the scene of an accident on the corner of Vanguard Drive and Bluegum Road in Bonteheuwel on Saturday evening, 27 October 2012. They noted that one of the drivers involved in the accident was drunk, and took him to the Bishop Lavis Police Station where he was charged for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Later that evening, members of the unit who were conducting routine patrols in the Cape Town CBD arrested another drunk driver when he failed to stop at a stop street.
During a joint operation with the South African Police Services in Table View, one motorist was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Meanwhile, during routine patrols, officers arrested one motorist in Bhunga Avenue, Langa; one in Lansdowne Road, Philippi; and three in Hout Bay and Muizenberg – all on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Over the weekend, on Saturday, 27 October and Sunday, 28 October 2012, members of the Metro Police, Law Enforcement and Housing Safety Unit conducted an integrated operation in Kewtown, Athlone.
“On the Saturday, officers carried out stop-and-search operations, high visibility vehicular and foot patrols, and roving vehicle checking points while the Housing Safety Unit conducted housing surveys. Officers issued five traffic fines for unlicensed vehicles and drivers and recorded one by-law offence. Members also attended to an accident on Jan Smuts Drive involving four cars. Fortunately no injuries were reported. The operations continued into Sunday, with a similar focus, resulting in the arrest of one suspect for drunk and disorderly behaviour. Officers also issued one traffic fine for failure to comply with a lawful instruction from a peace officer and confiscated half a parcel of dagga found abandoned,” said Metro Police Deputy Chief, Yolanda Faro.
On Friday, 26 October 2012, one suspect was arrested during routine patrols in Kraaifontein on charges of possession of illegal narcotics after he was found with mandrax tablets.
Another two suspects were arrested for possession of stolen property, after officers found two sealed geysers in a backyard dwelling in New Valley, Lwandle.
“The arrests follow the swift reaction by our members after receiving information that stolen property was being hidden. Both geysers were still sealed and found hidden next to the bed and tucked away under clothing,” said Deputy Chief Faro.
In Ocean View one suspect was arrested for selling liquor without a valid licence during a search warrant operation. Officers confiscated 124 bottles of beer and four litres of wine.
