Yesterday, Sunday, 27 September, at approximately 15:36 members of the Metro Police’s Anti-Hijacking Unit received a notification of a silver Toyota Corolla that had been hijacked in the TT section of Site B, Khayelitsha. Officers responded and located the vehicle at the intersection of Govan Mbeki Road and Oscar Mpetha Drive.

As they approached, two suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

Officers pursued and four suspects were arrested (two still inside the vehicle), including a 15-year-old, and were taken to Harare SAPS.

‘It is encouraging to see how effectively the anti-hijacking staff are responding to these incidents. It shows that, when these matters are reported to the City, we can take action. However, we cannot continuously be responding to hijackings and recovering vehicles. The syndicates behind these hijackings must be clamped down on and shut down, similar to the extortion syndicates plaguing these communities. If SAPS is not willing to do so, then the City should be empowered to act,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith. 

Metro Police officers arrested 211 suspects including 104 for drunk driving, and issued 3 819 fines. 

In addition, they confiscated a number of drugs and recovered several hijacked vehicles.

Their Law Enforcement colleagues made 214 arrests and issued 11 521 notices during weekly patrols.

On the roads, Traffic Officers arrested 51 suspects – 36 for drunk driving, 11 for reckless and negligent driving and four on other charges. They executed 1 749 warrants, impounded 108 public transport vehicles and issued 42 118 fines. 

The PECC received 3 020 calls for assistance this past weekend, including 235 assault related calls, 138 reports of accidents, an increase of more than 58% on the previous weekend’s 87. 

‘Our call centre and enforcement departments consistently record a sharp rise in incidents around month-end and payday weekends, driven in part by increased disposable income, alcohol and substance abuse, but also by reckless behaviour. I reiterate my request to report lawlessness to our call centre by phoning 021 480 7700 or using the City App to log an incident directly with Safety and Security,’ added Alderman Smith.