The EMPD embarked on intensive crime prevention, traffic law enforcement as well as by-law enforcement operations at pre-identified hotspots in the whole of the City of Ekurhuleni between Saturday, December 1 and Saturday, January 5.
According to Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago, EMPD spokesperson, arrests totaling 987 suspects were effected.
This included 406 for miscellaneous crimes, 437 for drinking and driving, 40 for possession and dealing in narcotics, 108 for excessive speeding and 186 pedestrians for being on the freeways.
He said 47 road users perished on the metro’s freeways during the period which included 13 drivers, three motorcyclists, 17 passengers, one cyclist and 14 pedestrians.
“Thirteen vehicles were in a single motor vehicle accidents, three in head-on collisions and three pedestrians were run over on the freeways,” said Kgasago.
“More than 70 per cent of the fatal collisions occurred between 10pm and 5am. No fatal accidents have been recorded since Wednesday, January 2.”
Kgasago said 13 972 vehicles and pedestrians were stopped and searched.
“Over 25 000 spot summonses were issued and 33 stolen and hijacked vehicle were recovered as well as three unlicensed firearms.
“Narcotics in the form of crystal methamphetamine, khat, mandrax, dagga, ecstasy, nyaope and dagga valued at R982 000 were seized from 40 suspects.”
Kgasago said the EMPD has since Friday, January 4 beefed up numbers on N3, R21, N12 and R59 freeways to monitor and ensure the safety of road users, which is due to high volumes of vehicles of holiday makers returning to their homes.
“The operations will stay intensified until the re-opening of schools. Scaling down of operations will only take place once the schools re-open and workers are back at work.”
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