January Traffic Sweep: Cape Town Law Enforcement Make Over 1,300 Arrests

• Cape Town’s law enforcement agencies have made over 1,350 arrests in January, including 146 by Metro Police officers, with 22 for driving under the influence
• Reports indicate that over the past week alone, officers made 404 arrests and issued nearly 4,000 traffic and by-law fines
• City safety officials urged residents to exercise personal responsibility, noting that better decision-making can reduce road accidents

WESTERN CAPE- Cape Town’s law enforcement agencies have reported more than 1,350 arrests so far this month, the City said on Monday, 26 January 2026.

Eyewitness News (EWN) reported that JP Smith, City Mayoral Committee member for safety and security, Metro Police said officers accounted for 146 of these arrests, including 22 for driving under the influence.

How many arrests have law enforcement made?

According to Smith, over the past week alone, enforcement teams made 404 arrests and issued nearly 4,000 traffic and by-law fines during routine patrols. In total, officers have made 176 arrests and issued over 11,000 fines since the start of the year.

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Traffic officials also recorded 62 arrests for driving under the influence, alongside more than 80,000 traffic offences.

Smith noted a recent increase in road accidents and urged residents to exercise personal responsibility.

“Better decision-making and accountability can reduce the pressure on emergency services and improve public safety,” he said.

KZN festive sweep: 226 arrests

Similarly, Kwazulu-Natal traffic authorities conducted a major road-safety operation across Esikhawini, Empangeni, and Richards Bay, resulting in 226 motorists being arrested, many for driving under the influence of alcohol. The operation was part of a broader initiative to curb reckless driving, reduce road accidents, and enforce compliance with traffic laws. Officers carried out checks at multiple locations, focusing on high-risk areas and habitual offenders, and several vehicles were also impounded for violations.

Other Briefly articles on traffic officers

• Two Cape Town law enforcement officers were arrested in a R3,000 bribery sting after they allegedly stopped a motorist in Parow, found him driving under the influence, and demanded money to let him go instead of arresting him. The South African Police Service’s anti‑corruption unit conducted an undercover operation after the motorist reported the incident, leading to the officers’ detention and impending court appearance.
• Two off‑duty South African Police Service officers were arrested for drunk driving during a roadblock in KwaZulu‑Natal, with one testing six times and the other four times over the legal alcohol limit, prompting disappointment from South Africans who felt they violated the laws they enforce. Both officers are expected to appear in court on the charges.
• A former Mpumalanga traffic officer who was dismissed for taking a R200 bribe, which he claimed was needed to buy a cool drink on a hot day, failed in his bid at the CCMA to have his dismissal overturned. The commission ruled his explanation was not credible, so he will remain unemployed following the bribery finding.

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Teen suspect to appear in court after deadly Philippi East shebeen shooting

Previously, Briefly News reported that a Cape Town man received a R500 fine for jaywalking after being stopped by traffic officials for crossing the road outside a marked pedestrian crossing, and his video about the incident went viral, sparking widespread online discussion about the law and pedestrian safety .

Source: Briefly News