News24.com | Easter in Cape Town: 361 people arrested, 72 465 fines issued

Western Cape police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile.

• More than 300 people were arrested for various offences in the city of Cape Town during the Easter period.
• Offences included driving under the influence, possession of stolen vehicles, false documentation and assaulting an officer.
• The City of Cape Town said 72 465 fines were issued. 

City of Cape Town law enforcement services arrested 361 people for various offences during the Easter period. 

Eighty-four people were arrested for driving under the influence, possession of stolen vehicles, false documentation or assaulting an officer.

A total of 72 465 fines were issued, according to the City of Cape Town.

The integrated operation included police, law enforcement and traffic officials - and it was overseen by the provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Novelwa Potelwa said officers focused on Langa, Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Mfuleni and Delft, and carried out various stop-and-search operations, vehicle check points and tracing operations.

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"Scores of suspects were apprehended for crimes, ranging from assaults, dealing in drugs, possession of presumed stolen property and unlicensed possession of firearms and ammunition as well as arrests of undocumented individuals," Potelwa said. 

JP Smith, the Mayco member for safety and security, said there had been an increase in arrests this year, compared to 332 in 2022, and it was due to "proactive enforcement". 

Smith said:

Over the long weekend, the City's Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 211 assault incidents, compared to 159 in 2022.

Police said operations also took place in the West Coast, Cape Winelands, Overberg, Central Karoo and Garden Route districts. 

A common feature were permanent roadblocks throughout the long weekend at strategic locations along major routes, such as the N1, N2 and N7, said Potelwa.

"Interaction with community members from areas where operations took place indicated appreciation for the Easter weekend operations."