Nearly 800 units of alcohol confiscated from Cape Town beaches during matric celebrations

NEARLY 800 units of alcohol were confiscated from Cape Town beaches during matric valedictory celebrations. 

In the past week, the City’s enforcement agencies made 197 arrests, including a near three-fold increase in arrests for drunk driving.

On the beaches, officials confiscated 799 units of alcohol during valedictory celebrations.

“The amount of alcohol confiscated is of concern, particularly as we’ve highlighted time and again that it is illegal to consume alcohol in public spaces, but also the potential consequences of driving or swimming under the influence,” mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith said.

“Fortunately there were no major incidents reported during the valedictory celebrations. On the roads, we witnessed once again the spike in drunk driving that has become commonplace over payday and month-end weekends. It’s mind-boggling, considering the many other options that are available. I want to remind motorists and the public in general that a good time and good decisions are not mutually exclusive,” said Smith. 

Traffic officers made 44 arrests in the past week – 38 for driving under the influence and half a dozen more for various other offences.

Drunk driving arrests for the previous week stood at 13.

Officers also recorded 41 095 offences, impounded 183 public transport vehicles and executed 1 159 warrants of arrest. 

Elsewhere, City enforcement agencies recovered at least seven firearms in the past week.

Law Enforcement officers recovered three of the firearms, made 120 arrests and issued 5 008 fines for traffic and by-law transgressions.

In one of the latest incidents on Saturday, officers on patrol in Town Two, Khayelitsha were alerted by members of the public of five males in possession of firearms.

“Armed with descriptions of the group, officers set off in search of them – the group scattered when they realised they were being pursued, but officers apprehended one suspect and recovered a 9mm pistol with its serial number filed off.

“The 24-year-old suspect was detained at Lingelethu West SAPS for further investigation,” the City said.

Cape Times