Media Release by Daylin Mitchell Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works
I will write to the Western Cape Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, to request that he speeds up the ballistic test on the alleged illegal firearm that was found during an integrated roadblock I attended on Friday evening.
Two men were arrested for being in possession of the illegal firearm during a joint operation at the Huguenot tunnel on Friday evening. The operation was part of the Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services weekly integrated roadblocks.
The test must, as a matter of urgency, reveal whether the firearm is in anyway involved the taxi related killings that have played out in areas throughout the province. It is often the case that illegal firearms are used in other serious criminal activities and or gang related violence.
In the week of 5 to 11 July 202, Provincial Traffic Officers implemented a total of 144 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check point and speed control operations across the province. 24 925 vehicles were stopped and checked during this period.
A total of 264 speeding offences were recorded and 3 860 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness in the total amount of R3 568 750.
Six vehicles were impounded and 49 were discontinued for unroadworthiness.
A total of 11 charges were laid under the Disaster Management Act and fines to the total value of R15 500 were issued. 22 people were arrested for various offences under the National Road Traffic Act, Criminal Procedure Act, and Disaster Management Act regulations.
In addition, a total of 7 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 9 fatalities were recorded. They include 5 pedestrians, 2 drivers, 1 cyclist and 1 passenger.
Friday’s arrest is just another example of how provincial traffic adds value to our integrated approach to crime prevention efforts in the province.
I remain committed to making the province and our roads a safer place for all our residents.
Media Queries:
Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka
Spokesperson for Minister Daylin Mitchell
Cell: 082 953 0026
Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za