Being arrested for drinking in public and no case being open against you, has come to an end.
Early last year the then, Gauteng commissioner of police, lieutenant-general Mzwandile Petros, issued a provincial instruction to cease arresting and detaining people for “B” crimes, which included drinking and/or being intoxicated in public.
This year the police have done an about face and indicated that they will be stricter on B crimes like drinking in public.
So drunkards beware.
“You will be arrested and a docket will be open against you as drinking in public has become a criminal offence,” said Warrant Officer Gordon Billing.
In the past you could get away with not being prosecuted in a court of law for drinking in public.
The guilty party would have to pay an admission of guilt fine of R300 would be issued against those found guilty of drinking or being intoxicated in public.
But the paying of the fine would still mean that it could appear on your criminal record.
“Anyone found drinking in public is made aware that the offence will be adding to your criminal record,” said Billing.
This new procedure has been put into place as police saw the amount of people that was being arrested for drinking in public has increased each month.
“We need to make people aware that it is illegal and against the law to be drinking in public,” said Billing
