The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) has vowed to crack down on reckless driving and lawlessness on the roads during the Easter period, aiming to ensure a safe journey for all road users.
The TMPD made the commitment during the launch of the Easter Road Safety campaign in Hammanskraal township on Friday, which included a roadblock to inspect vehicles for roadworthiness.
During the roadblock, authorities intercepted a bus overloaded with passengers and a bakkie carrying items that exceeded its loading capacity.
Mayor Nasiphi Moya, who was in attendance, cautioned motorists to be vigilant and obey the road rules.
“Our teams will have 50 additional vehicles this season to help enforce by-laws. We know that some drivers don’t follow the rules of the road, and that’s why it’s vital that our teams are prepared,” she said.
TMPD spokesperson senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said road safety operations continued across all regions of Tshwane following the launch, resulting in the arrest of at least 26 motorists for drunk driving.
TMPD officers arrested 20 motorists for drunk driving in an operation conducted in Mamelodi East, five for the same offence at the N1/N4 Proefplaas Interchange and one in Hammanskraal.
“While this number may seem small compared to the other regions, every arrest for drunk driving is a step toward making the roads safer for everyone. The fact that so many motorists were caught engaging in this dangerous behavior highlights the importance of such operations in ensuring road safety. These operations are aimed at ensuring the safety of all road users during this Easter holiday,” he said.
Captain Johan van Dyk, the spokesman for SAPS Tshwane District, stated that the police carried out Operation Shanela successfully in the Silverton and Garsfontein regions.
Under the leadership of Major-General Samuel Thine, who serves as the District Commissioner of Tshwane, a collaborative law enforcement initiative was carried out. This mission involved participants from various organizations including the Department of Home Affairs, Gauteng Traffic Department, TMPD, and Tracker SA.
According to Van Dyk, the operation led to the arrests of 318 suspects for different offenses, the capture of fugitives, and the implementation of alcohol laws in the specified regions.
A minimum of 249 individuals were apprehended for different offenses, including 75 accused of gender-based violence, five charged with murder, three suspected of attempting to commit murder, 12 involved in armed robberies, and three implicated in rape cases.
Van Dyk mentioned that the operation involved a checkpoint in Silverton along with inspection sweeps throughout the region, leading to the detention of 27 people without proper documentation who were awaiting deportation. Additionally, one individual was apprehended and penalized for hiring unauthorized workers.
"A total of 803 people and 258 cars were inspected. Furthermore, 79 vehicles were checked to confirm whether they had been reported as stolen, which resulted in recovering a Toyota Prado that was taken during an earlier theft in Garsfontein this month," he stated.
The police conducted searches and patrols at 31 targeted locations and areas with high crime rates, which led to three arrests for possessing drugs and the confiscation of three bags of crystal meth along with one mandrax pill.
A minimum of 25 individuals were apprehended and penalised for consuming alcohol in public, while 12 motorists were detained for operating vehicles under the influence of intoxicants. The authorities handed out 25 AARTO violation notices amounting to R13,750 due to offences under the Road Traffic Act.
Out of every five places checked, four had to be closed because they didn't follow the rules set out in the Liquor Act. Additionally, officials took away 161,244 milliliters of alcohol.
"Upon searching a single property, law enforcement officials found 410 banking cards, 401 identity papers, 12 mobile phones, one computer, one tablet, along with an unspecified sum of money. The individual under suspicion has been taken into custody and faces charges for breaching the Credit Act as well as the Prevention of Organised Crime Act," stated Van Dyk.