A Cape Town motorist who was pulled over for drunk driving in Mitchells Plain on Sunday, faces a litany of extra charges after he fled from officers manning the roadblock, before he was eventually caught and authorities discovered three large bags of dagga (cannabis) in the boot of his car.
The City of Cape Town said in a statement on Monday that City officials and Metro Police were forced to give chase after the driver fled a roadblock in Spine Road, having been pulled over for being over the legal alcohol limit.
The City said the fleeing driver disregarded traffic signals.
“The officers followed the vehicle through the streets of Mitchells Plain while the driver disregarded many road rules trying to evade them,” JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, said.
“The officers eventually stopped the vehicle and arrested the driver, but the passenger fled on foot. Upon further inspection, the officers found three bags in the boot containing dagga, weighing roughly 6kg with a street value of approximately R40,000.”
The driver was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless and negligent driving, and possession of dagga.
The City said its officials and Metro Police Officers staged a number of roadblocks in various areas around Cape Town at the weekend, including Gugulethu, Mitchells Plain and Mandalay.
Authorities arrested approximately 148 suspects and issued 1,551 fines for multiple offences in the past few days.
On September 1, officers in Mandalay made two arrests, one for possession of a stolen motorcycle and the other for furnishing of false information. Officials also impounded four vehicles and issued 569 fines for a multitude of offences.
Smith said that on the same day, during an enforcement operation, officials in Bellville arrested three suspects, one each for reckless and negligent driving, resisting arrest and a charge of assault. The officers also impounded vehicles and issued 475 fines for a range of other offences.
On Friday, September 2, officials in Claremont arrested eight people for reckless and negligent driving, while also impounding six cars and issuing 273 fines.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
