29 November, 2002

Press Release

Joburg police on red alert!

Residents and visitors of Johannesburg may take comfort in the high alert status announced by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) today amidst recent bomb blasts and crime incidents associated with the festive season.

The first of a series of Police operations aimed at making Johannesburg crime free during the festive season kicked off in Alexandra Township, north of Johannesburg. During this operation 13 taxis were impounded, one confiscated after it was positively identified as stolen and another vehicle was confiscated on suspicion of being stolen. The operation is on going and several of similar operations are planned for the whole city.

Announcing results of the year round crime combating strategy "Operation Nude Ants" today, the MPD warned all would be law breakers of all types to stay clear of the city as none will be spared.

The JMPD said they will be stepping up the pace of the highly successful Operation Nude Ants that has seen the police arresting over 102 criminals with urinating in public, drinking and driving, armed robbery and stolen vehicles accounting for the majority of crimes committed in a period of a little more than a month since the operation started on the 12 October this year.

A total of 38 952 were stopped in the period from 12 October to 15 November averaging 998 vehicles a day and a further 24 404 were searched with 6239 of these being checked whether they were stolen. Over 400 drivers were checked for outstanding warrants with 620 drivers being checked for drinking and driving.

In Soweto alone, 4 599 have been stooped on Mondays during this period and on average this has been the trend for Sundays, Thursday and Saturdays.

The trends with regards to traffic fines issued was also stepped up with 21 541 citations being issued averaging 718 per day, with 261 of these being hand written whilst the rest were electronically issued.

The operation has yielded results that surpassed expectation and these have reduced crime in the Inner City alone with up to 82%. This is attributed high police visibility in the area that guarantees sightings of about 21 police vehicles every minute in the Inner City.

ENDS.

For more information please contact:

Mbangwa Xaba
011 407 7226
082 467 92 30