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Traffic blitz: Capetonians can expect daily roadblocks

Cape Town - The City of Cape Town's Safety and Security Directorate has created an integrated Roadblock Unit, comprising 18 members from various departments including traffic service, metro Police, law enforcement and the Western Cape traffic department.

The unit will work with the traffic services Ghost Squad.

The city has also extended an invitation to the South African Police Service (SAPS) to join the initiative.

How it works

The integrated Metro Police Roadblock Unit will be responsible for executing roadblocks on a permanent basis in the city, with a focus on, the department says, drunk driving, stolen vehicles and illegal street racing.

According to the department: "It will detect and seize illegal firearms and drugs and work to track down people with outstanding warrants and those wanted by the South African Police Service."


Do you think regular road blocks will curb drunk drivers and car thieves? Will the new unit clampdown on illegal street racing in the City? Email us your thoughts.

'Integral policing tool'

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, said: "Roadblocks are an integral policing tool, but in recent years our services have been stretched by an increasing workload thanks to service delivery protests, gang violence and land invasions.

"The result is that we have not been able to have as many roadblocks as we would like. This unit is a step towards rectifying that situation."

While the Roadblock Unit will focus exclusively on their task, other agencies will conduct vehicle checkpoints and roadblocks as part of operations.

Why create a roadblock unit?

Smith said: "The aim of this unit is to sharpen our focus, lead from the front in terms of our planning for such operations – especially over the peak holiday seasons – and to catch as many bad guys as possible.

"I’m looking forward to a positive response from the SAPS to further strengthen this initiative and then, of course, we are hoping that other elements within the criminal justice system are addressed too.

"Ideally, we want to move away from the current situation where a drunk driving case takes years to conclude. Justice needs to be meted out swiftly if we are to make road users sit up and take their responsibilities seriously."

Image: Arrive Alive

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