Cape Town alcohol seizures more than double in final week of December

The City of Cape Town’s law enforcement agencies confiscated more than 4 500 litres of alcohol during December, with more than half of that seized in the past week alone.

A total of 1 943 litres of alcohol were confiscated between December 1 and 21, the City said. By December 28, the figure had risen sharply to 4 635 litres, representing more than double the earlier total.

The City’s liquor pound, managed by Law Enforcement, receives confiscated alcohol from all enforcement agencies operating under municipal by-laws.

In the past week, the City said Law Enforcement officers made 155 arrests and issued 5 999 fines during general enforcement operations. Law Enforcement Advancement Programme (LEAP) officers recovered at least four firearms during their patrols.

Metro Police officers made a further 52 arrests and issued 3 166 notices for traffic and by-law infringements. Officers also recovered a pistol, a revolver and an imitation firearm, and confiscated quantities of alcohol and drugs.

In one of the latest operations on Monday, December 29, officers recovered a stolen vehicle in Macassar following a tip-off and arrested a 42-year-old suspect.

Traffic officers recorded 43 355 offences on the City’s roads during the reporting period, impounded 156 public transport vehicles and executed 951 warrants of arrest. A total of 57 arrests were made, including 50 for drunk driving.

The City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre responded to 1 850 incidents over the past weekend. Medical emergencies accounted for 40% of the calls, while 119 fires were logged. The centre also recorded 279 noise nuisance complaints, 29 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents, 132 assault cases, 59 domestic violence incidents, and 19 cases of self-harm.

The public is reminded to report emergencies or any suspicious and/or criminal activities to the centre on 021 480 7700.