Results from WC Provincial Traffic Services – 2 to 8 October 2023
On Monday, 9 October 2023, Traffic Law Enforcement officers from Beaufort West and Caledon Provincial Traffic Centres apprehended three different vehicles carrying drugs on our roads. They arrested six suspects for dealing or possessing drugs and handed them over to the South African Police Service (SAPS).
I am incredibly proud of our Provincial Traffic Inspectors, who consistently deliver results that make our roads and communities safer in this province. These results are enabled by innovative technology, collaborative enforcement, hard work, and a commitment to the people of the Western Cape.
On the N1 outside Beaufort West, a Provincial Inspector stopped a vehicle for inspection and detected a strong smell of cannabis while interacting with the driver. Upon further inspection, the vehicle was loaded with boxes labelled as ‘medicinal cannabis’ carrying 200 kg of dagga. The driver could not produce appropriate documentation for transporting the consignment and was subsequently arrested for dealing in dagga.
On the other side of our province, Provincial Inspectors from Caledon Provincial Traffic Centre pulled over a vehicle that had blue lights installed illegally. Due to the suspicious behaviour of the occupants, the officers decided to search the vehicle and found 2.47 kg of cannabis and an uncut diamond wrapped in a piece of paper in the cup holder. They arrested three suspects and handed them over to Villiersdorp SAPS.
While patrolling the R316 which runs between Caledon and Arniston, these same officers stopped and searched a vehicle and found 50 Mandrax tablets on one of the occupants. They arrested this passenger and the driver for being in possession of the drugs.
I commend these officers and all the women and men working hard 24/7 throughout the year to make the Western Cape safe and protect road users. They also continue to support the Infrastructure teams who are building back and reopening roads damaged during the recent floods.
Results from WC Provincial Traffic Services – 2 to 8 October 2023
Provincial Traffic Inspectors conducted 360 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check points and speed control operations; and stopped and checked 34 357 vehicles across the Western Cape. A total of 10 246 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness. Twenty-two vehicles were impounded and 189 were discontinued for being unroadworthy.
A total of 222 speeding offences were recorded, with the following highest speeds:
- 160km/h in a 120km/h zone;
- 139km/h in a 100km/h zone;
- 109km/h in an 80km/h zone;
- 94km/h in a 70km/h zone;
- 104km/h in a 60km/h zone; and
- 59km/h in a 40km/h zone.
Arrests
- A total of 115 arrests were made for the following offences:
- 91 x driving under the influence of alcohol;
- 5 x reckless and negligent driving;
- 2 x goods overloading;
- 6 x possession of fraudulent documentation;
- 2 x inducing an authorised officer or peace officer to act in conflict with his/her duty;
- 1 x obstructing or hindering an authorised officer in the execution of his/her duty;
- 1 x failing to furnish information;
- 1 x assault of an authorised officer;
- 1 x resisting arrest;
- 1 x theft of goods;
- 1 x possession of stolen motor vehicle;
- 1 x possession of protected flora;
- 1 x possession of uncut diamonds; and
- 1 x possession of illegal substance.
Fatalities
A total of 22 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 24 fatalities were recorded:
- 3 x drivers;
- 4 x passengers; and
- 17 x pedestrians.
Media queries:
Rebecca Campbell
Spokesperson for Minister Ricardo Mackenzie
076 783 2583 or Rebecca.Campbell@westerncape.gov.za