MMC Lemao calls for restraint during New Year Eve festivities
30 December 2015
As New Year Eve approaches, the City of Johannesburg has urged residents to exercise caution when setting off fireworks to bid farewell to 2015 and celebrate the dawn of the New Year.
Speaking at a media briefing at the Johannesburg Metro Police Department’s headquarters in Martindale, Sophiatown, on Tuesday December 29, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Public Safety Councillor Sello Lemao said the JMPD and South African Police Service (SAPS) would conduct blitzes throughout the city to prevent the illegal sale of fireworks. Street vendors would also not be allowed to sell them.
MMC Lemao urged revellers to be considerate to their neighbours and animals when setting off fireworks. He said roadblocks would be mounted and door-to-door searches conducted in Hillbrow and other hotspots on New Year’s Eve to maintain law and order. “We would like to call on all communities to change their behaviour. We want them to restrain themselves from committing offences when celebrating the end of the year. Should anyone transgress any of the City's by-laws, JMPD and SAPS officers will exercise the necessary force or make arrests," he warned.
The MMC said at least 537 people were arrested for drunken driving since the beginning of the festive season on December 1. On Monday December 28 JMPD officers arrested a motorist travelling at 228km/hour on the N3 freeway near Marlboro, Sandton.
On Wednesday December 23, JMPD officers arrested three suspects following a high-speed car chase along Crownwood Road in Crown Mines. MMC Lemao said this was after the officers had tried to stop a suspicious-looking silver VW Touareg, whose driver had refused to pull over when signalled to do so. The officers gave chase and the suspects started shooting at them. The officers returned fire, hitting one of the men in the right shoulder and another in the back.
“It was then discovered that the vehicle was stolen in Jeppe. An AK-47 rifle, an Uzzi semi-automatic machinegun and a Star pistol were found in the car. The suspects were then arrested," the MMC said.
He said a number of arrests were made in connection with reckless driving, speeding and possession of drugs and illegal goods.
“We've managed to reduce the number of smash-and-grab incidents because of high police visibility. Two weeks ago we were in Riverlea, where 200 officers combed the streets looking for drug dealers and stolen cars."
Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar urged residents not to set off fireworks around or near animals as this would traumatise them. He said children under the age of 16 should not use fireworks without adult supervision. Chief Supt Minnaar said fireworks should be set off between 11pm and 1am on New Year’s Eve and New Year's Day, and between 7pm and 10pm on New Year’s Day.
He said people who disturbed the peace would be fined R500 each, while those who traded in illegal fireworks faced a R1 500 fine each.
Chief Supt Minnaar asked anyone with a complaint or concern to contact Joburg Connect at (011) 375-5911.