The EMPD between December 1 and January 5 embarked on intensive crime prevention, traffic law enforcement as well as by-law enforcement operations at pre-identified hotspots in the City of Ekurhuleni.
The metro police made 987 arrests including 406 arrests of miscellaneous crimes and 437 for drinking driving, 40 for possession and dealing in narcotics and 108 for excessive speeding. The number of jaywalking pedestrian on freeways was reported to be 186.
The report states that 47 road users died on freeways during the period, and this includes 13 drivers, three motorcyclists, 17 passengers, one cyclist and 14 pedestrians. Thirteen vehicles were involved in a single motor vehicle accidents, three in head-on collisions and three pedestrians were run over on the freeways. More than 70 per cent of the fatal collisions occurred between 10pm to 5am. No fatal accidents have been recorded since January 2.
The report states that 13 972 pedestrians were stopped and searched. More than 25 000 spot summonses were issued and 33 stolen and hijacked vehicles were recovered. Three unlicensed firearms were retrieved. The metro police speed cameras captured 108 071 vehicles for driving over the speed limit.
Narcotics in the form of crystal methamphetamine, kat, mandrax, dagga, ecstasy, nyaope and dagga valued at an estimated value of
R982 000, were seized from 40 suspects.
Since January 4, the metro police reportedly beefed up their numbers on N3, R21, N12 and R59 freeways to monitor and to ensure the safety of road users. This was due to the anticipated high volumes of vehicles as holidaymakers were making their way back to their homes.
The metro police said the operations would continue to be intensified until the re-opening of schools. Scaling down of operations will only take place once the schools have re-opened and workers were back at work.
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