Cape Town traffic officers and metro police issued issued 770 fines over the Heritage Day long weekend. Cape Town traffic officers and metro police issued issued 770 fines over the Heritage Day long weekend.
The biggest bust happened on Heritage Day, when about 200 illegal street racers and spectators gathered at Sacks Circle in Bellville South. As traffic officers and metro police moved in to close off the area, the driver of a white Volkswagen Polo collided with a patrol vehicle in his attempt to escape.
The driver refused to stop and collided with two more vehicles as he left the area. A high-speed chase ensued, and the Polo was eventually boxed in and stopped on Robert Sobukwe Drive near Kasselsvlei. The driver was arrested for reckless and negligent driving as well as charges of attempted murder, resisting arrest, and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.
Officers also issued 165 fines at Sacks Circle for various other offences.
Also on Heritage Day, metro police officers in Mitchells Plain, Gugulethu, Kraaifontein and Delft arrested 21 motorists for drunk driving. These included a 26-year-old driver who fled from from a roadblock, ignored traffic signals, and even drove on the sidewalk at times. Officers finally caught up with him after he smashed into a house in Voortrekker Road, Kraaifontein.
Mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said: “Drunk driving remains a problem, especially over weekends. It leads to lawlessness on our roads and the deaths of many innocent people.
“I appeal to residents: be responsible and don’t drive if you’re drinking. Save a life - don’t let a friend drive if they have been drinking.”
Elsewhere across Cape Town, law enforcement officers arrested 173 more suspects on various charges including drunk driving, reckless and negligent driving, house-breaking, theft, possession of drugs, and looting.