STAFF REPORTER
Drunk drivers and street racers beware, a new dedicated City of Cape Town Roadblock Unit hit the streets this month.
The unit will focus on enforcing the National Road Traffic Act as well as tracking suspects wanted for crimes and outstanding warrants.
The City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Directorate said the Roadblock Unit comprises 18 officers from various departments including the City’s Traffic Service, Metro police, Law Enforcement and the Western Cape Traffic Department.
The unit will link with the Traffic Services Ghost Squad from time to time and the City has also invited South African Police Service (SAPS) to join .
It will conduct roadblocks across the city, with the focus on drinking and driving, stolen vehicles, and illegal street racing.
Mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, said: “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.
“I’m looking forward to a positive response from SAPS to further strengthen this initiative. We are hoping other elements within the criminal justice system are addressed too.
“We want to move away from the current situation where a drunk driving case takes years to conclude.”