Latest crime statistics show ‘efficacy of Operation Buya Mthetho’
JOBURG – Various operations were carried out, including on bad buildings, where officials also conducted six raids, making 21 arrests of property hijackers.
City of Joburg’s Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba alongside the MMC for Safety Michael Sun and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Chief David Tembe released today (16 November) the latest crime statistics, demonstrating the effectiveness of Operation Buya Mthetho.
During the month of October, 58 stolen or hijacked vehicles were recovered, which brings the total number of vehicles recovered by the JMPD’s K9 Narcotics Tactical Unit in the past four months to 195.
Over the last month, the unit also recovered six firearms.
A total of 691 arrests were made for people driving under the influence – down from the 929 of the same period last year. This means 2 729 arrests have been made between July and October for this particular crime.
Specifically for October, the biggest culprits were motorists in Region E (Sandton/Alexandra) with 129 arrests for driving under the influence, followed by Region B (Randburg) with 118 arrests, and Region F1 (inner city) with 108 arrests.
According to the statement, the fact that less drivers were arrested in October 2018 compared to October 2017 may suggest that the visibility and enforcement of the law by JMPD officers during the various operations in the city are bearing fruit.
“However, we should still be concerned by the number of drunk-driving cases,” the statement read.
“We want to warn motorists against taking chances and driving under the influence, as it not only puts their lives and those of fellow motorists in danger, but it will likely result in arrests. The holiday season is upon us and our JMPD officers will not hesitate to ruin your festive mood should you refuse to heed the warnings to abstain from driving under the influence.”
In the month of October a total of 228 212 AARTO infringement notices were issued – 27 049 of those being for unroadworthy vehicles, and 33 851 were because of unfit drivers, and 167 312 were for to moving violations.
The past four months, therefore, has seen 750 480 AARTO infringement notices being issued.
Various operations were carried out, including on bad buildings, where officials also conducted six raids, making 21 arrests of property hijackers.
In terms of disciplinary cases received for investigation, 24 cases were received – of which seven were for bribery and corruption, while six were for the misuses of council vehicles.
Mayor Mashaba commented on the latest statistics, “There are many positives to extract from these numbers, and we are very proud of the work of our officials and the effectiveness of Operation Buya Mthetho. We will continue to do all that we can to make sure that not only are all these cases rigorously investigated but that those who are found to have committed crimes are prosecuted by our law enforcement authorities.”
