JMPD highlights worrying increase in cases of drunk driving in Joburg

Despite numerous efforts by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department to curb drunk and driving incidents, the August report has shown a significant rise of the crime.

In July, the department recorded 790 cases of drunk and driving. On August, 1 101 arrests were made with the inner city at 123 followed by Sandton, Bramley and Alexandra at 119, Diepsloot and Midrand at 85 and Rosebank and Randburg at 75 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Chief of Metro police David Tembe said that although the department was planning more campaigns and operations, the fight against drunken driving was beyond their control. “We hold operations and arrest suspects for drunk driving and hand them over to the police station. They go to court and the magistrate decides on a fine or imprisonment. A majority of them pay a fine and get released. It is beyond our control,” said Tembe.

City of Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba said it was the lack of consequences that led to the increase in the number of criminal cases including driving under the influence of alcohol. “If I were to say we are winning the war against criminality in our City, I would be lying. The report is helping to give us the sense of challenges we are facing and how we can tackle them. The rise in drunken driving cases is a concern. Why would people continue to drink and drive while they know JMPD is active on the roads? I think it’s the lack of consequences for crime in our country. It appears people who are punished by the law in the country are vulnerable and poor,” said Mashaba.

The report further stated that out of the 1 101 cases, 900 were released on bail ranging from R500 to R1 500. A number of 87 were released after appearing before the court.

Meanwhile, the report also indicated a rise in fatalities from road accidents. In August, two cyclists died, 11 drivers, 19 passengers and 27 pedestrians. For other crimes, with 36 crime prevention operations conducted in Rosebank and Randburg, two arrests were made for assault, two for reckless and negligent driving, two trucks were impounded for illegal dumping and 2 123 citations were issued.

In Midrand and Diepsloot, with 118 operations conducted, one arrest was made for assault, three for reckless driving, one for possession of an unlicensed firearm and one for possession of drugs. In Alexandra, Sandton and Bramley, 116 operations were conducted one arrest was made for possession of a stolen vehicle, 12 trucks were impounded for illegal dumping and 5 258 citations were issued.

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https://www.citizen.co.za/fourways-review/310089/ld29jmpd/