Cape Town Law Enforcement officers came under attack on Wednesday as Guy Fawkes incidents resurge.
In a statement, MMC for Safety & Security, JP Smith,
said officers discharged rubber rounds in Valhalla Park just before 12:30, after
they were stoned and shot at by a group of people, and in Macassar, a group of
children stoned a fire truck.
Numerous reports were also reported in Lavender Hill,
Parkwood, Woodlands and Bishop Lavis/Bonteheuwel.
The City reported children stoning vehicles in Kleinvlei, illegal
sale of fireworks along Jakes Gerwel Drive, children discharging fireworks in
Kalksteenfontein, stone-throwing and harassment of members of the public in Joe
Marks Boulevard, Steenberg; A group of boys waiting to ambush learners outside
a primary school in Hanover Park; A group of approximately 70 people gathered
at Strandfontein pavilion, setting off fireworks. They dispersed when Traffic
Officers arrived on scene; A group of approximately 20 children discharging
fireworks in Woodlands
Metro Police officers also issued a fine for the illegal
sale of fireworks in Connaught Estate, Elsies River, while Law Enforcement
officers confiscated a small number of fireworks in Tafelsig, Mitchell’s Plain.
‘’Unfortunately, as
groups are constantly on the move, it is incredibly difficult to catch anyone
in the act,’’ said Smith.
Fireworks complaints too increased – in 2024, the Public
Emergency Communication Centre recorded 74 incidents of the illegal discharge
of fireworks and 20 relating to the illegal sale of fireworks between 3 and 5
November. Statistics this year show that reported incidents more than doubled
again, to 156 for the illegal discharge of fireworks and 21 for the illegal
sale of fireworks.
‘’We acknowledge that the actual numbers are likely higher,
as not all incidents are reported. The number of resources and time spent
policing this so-called tradition that has nothing to do with our country, is
simply absurd … especially considering that our enforcement services already
attend to anywhere between 2 200 and 2 500 incidents on average, per day. There
should be no place for Guy Fawkes in our society. The fireworks and violence do
nothing but traumatise those in affected communities, and it is an unnecessary
drain on emergency and enforcement resources,’’ said JP Smith, MMC for Safety
& Security.
Done By: Mitchum George
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