The EMPD embarked on intensive crime prevention, traffic law enforcement and by-law enforcement operations at pre-identified hotspots in the whole of Ekurhuleni, between December 1, last year and January 5.
Officers arrested 987 suspects, which included 406 for miscellaneous crimes, 437 for drinking and driving, 40 for possession of and dealing in narcotics, 108 for excessive speeding and 186 pedestrians for being on the highways.
“Forty-seven road users died on our highways during the period which included 13 drivers, three motorcyclists, 17 passengers, one cyclist and 14 pedestrians,” said Chief Supt Wilfred Kgasago, spokesperson for the EMPD.
“Thirteen vehicles were in single motor vehicle accidents, three in head-on collisions and three pedestrians were run over on the highways.
“More than 70 per cent of the fatal collisions occurred between 10pm and 5am.
“No fatal accidents have been recorded since January 2.”
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During stop-and-search operations, 13 972 vehicles and pedestrians were stopped and searched and over 25 000 spot summonses were issued.
Thirty-three stolen or hijacked vehicles were recovered, as well as three unlicensed firearms.
“EMPD speed cameras captured 108 071 vehicles for driving over the speed limit over the period,” said Kgasago.
“Narcotics in the form of crystal methamphetamine, Kat, mandrax, dagga, ecstasy, nyaope and dagga valued at R982 000, were seized from 40 suspects.”
Since January 4, the EMPD has beefed up its numbers on the N3, R21, N12 and R59 highways to monitor and ensure the safety of road users due to the high volume of vehicles on the roads as holidaymakers return home.
The operations will continue to be intensified until the re-opening of the schools.
“Scaling down of operations will only take place once the schools re-open and workers are back at work,” said Kgasago.
In Germiston specifically, three drivers, one motorcyclist, three passengers and one pedestrian died during the period, and a total of 17 drivers were arrested for drinking and driving in Primrose, Elsburg and the Germiston CBD.
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