On Friday 23 June, a traffic officer found 24 bags containing 3731 units of abalone with an estimated value of R1.8 million. When pulling over a vehicle near Grabouw, the officer noticed a number of black bags in the car and made the discovery after searching the vehicle. The driver fled the scene.

The case has been reported to the South African Police Service at Grabouw for further investigation.

I commend the Provincial Traffic Services for their continued effort to stop Western Cape roads from being used to transport illegal goods and making our roads safer. 

This incident and many others demonstrate the good work that is being done our officers who work around the clock to ensure illegal substances are seized before they get to our communities.

In the week of 19 to 25 June 2023, Provincial Traffic Services implemented a total of 244 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check point and speed control operations across the province, and 27 526 vehicles were stopped and checked. A total of 6 982 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness.

A total of 224 speeding offences were recorded. The highest speeds recorded this week were as follows:
• 169km/h in a 120km/h zone
• 144km/h in a 100km/h zone
• 109km/h in an 80km/h zone
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Twenty-four vehicles were impounded and 86 were discontinued for unroadworthiness.

Arrests
A total of 33 arrests were made for the following offences:
• 22 x driving under the influence of alcohol.
• 4 x speeding.
• 1 x reckless and negligent driving.
• 1 x possession of fraudulent documentation.
• 1 x obstructing or hindering an authorised officer in the execution of his/ her duty.
• 3 x undocumented persons.
• 1 x possession of abalone.

Fatalities recorded between 19 to 25 June 2023
A total of 19 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 21 fatalities were recorded:
• 4 x driver.
• 1 x motorcyclist.
• 5 x passengers.
• 11 x pedestrians.

I would like to remind all road users to #SeeAndBeSeen on our roads, especially when it is dark, and especially when the roads are wet.

MEDIA QUERIES:

Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka
Cell: 082 953 0026
Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za