The recent severe Cape Storm that gripped the Mother City over the long weekend left a trail of incidents and challenges, as reflected in the numbers compiled by the City’s Safety and Security Directorate.
Cape Storm incidents recorded this past weekend
Emergency calls surged during this tumultuous weekend, highlighting the widespread impact of the inclement weather on thousands of residents.
Increase in arrests compared to last weekend
In the realm of law enforcement, City agencies made a total of 418 arrests in the past week, marking a notable 20% increase compared to the previous week.
The City’s Public Emergency and Communication Centre (PECC) played a pivotal role in responding to the crisis.
Over the course of the long weekend, the PECC recorded a staggering 2,671 incidents.
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Calls related to Cape Storm surged historical data on environmental incidents
To put this into perspective, nearly a third of all calls, specifically 874, were documented on Monday, 25 September 2023.
One remarkable statistic to emerge from this weather event was the significant increase in environmental calls.
Historically, the PECC receives only a handful of such calls.
However, during this weekend, a total of 162 environmental calls were logged, with a staggering 90% of them occurring on Monday. This category encompasses reports related to pollution, structural flooding, landslides, and severe storms.
Furthermore, the PECC documented 160 incidents of obstructed roadways, and remarkably, almost 85% of these incidents were reported on Monday.
MCC for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith highlighted the gravity of these figures.
He noted:
“The call categories and volumes further amplify the very difficult weekend that Cape Town and much of the province experienced. Our emergency and enforcement services were really put to the test, given the magnitude of the frontal system and the many, and varied impacts. And while the weather has cleared, there is still much work to be done.”
Road incident report for this past weekend
The statistics also revealed a concerning number of motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents, with at least 79 such incidents recorded by the PECC.
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Additionally, 77 arrests were made for drunk driving offences.
In the broader context of enforcement efforts, City agencies recorded 418 arrests in the past week, an increase from 348 in the preceding week.
Moreover, a significant 70,736 traffic and by-law fines were issued.
The City’s Law Enforcement Department played its part with 244 arrests and 3,993 fines for various infractions.
Metro Police counterparts made 97 arrests, including 20 for driving under the influence, issued 2,595 fines for traffic and by-law violations, and confiscated various items, including illicit drugs, firearms, ammunition, counterfeit currency, and alcohol.
Cape Town Traffic Services contributed to these efforts by arresting 77 suspects, with a notable 52 apprehended for driving under the influence.
Officers also recorded a substantial 64,148 traffic offences, impounded 310 public transport vehicles, and executed 2,472 warrants of arrest.