Western Cape records 24 drunk driving arrests in one week as festive season nears

Posted on November 26, 2025November 26, 2025 by

The Western Cape Mobility Department has issued a stern warning to motorists following an alarming 24 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol recorded in just one week.

Between 17 and 23 November 2025, Provincial Traffic Services conducted 168 integrated roadblocks, vehicle checks, and speed control operations across the province. Just over 30,000 vehicles were stopped and checked, resulting in over 9,000 fines issued for various driver and vehicle fitness violations. Officers also recorded 200 speeding offences during this period.

A total of 46 arrests were made for the following offences:

24 × driving under the influence of alcohol
3 × reckless and negligent driving
6 × goods overloading
6 × possession of fraudulent documentation
3 × undocumented persons
1 × willfully damaging or tampering with a vehicle, or throwing an object at a vehicle
1 × bribery
1 × obstructing or hindering an authorised officer in the execution of duty
1 × threatening or suggesting the use of violence against a traffic officer

Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku expressed deep concern at the spike in drunk driving incidents. “Every driver who gets behind the wheel after drinking is a danger not only to themselves, but to every person on the road. As we approach the festive season, we are intensifying enforcement to ensure that law-abiding road users can travel safely. Driving under the influence will not be tolerated, and we will continue to take decisive action against offenders,” said Minister Sileku.

Chief Director of Traffic Management Maxine Bezuidenhout urged the public to take responsibility. “The high number of drunk driving arrests is deeply concerning. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair judgement and slow reaction times. Our officers will continue to take firm action against anyone who chooses to endanger others by driving under the influence. We urge motorists to act responsibly, respect the law, and help us prevent unnecessary incidents and loss of life on our roads”, said Bezuidenhout.

Motorists are urged to plan ahead by:
-Using e-hailing services or metered taxis.
-Appointing a sober designated driver.
-Arranging to stay over where you are socialising.
-Asking a friend or family member for a lift.
-Refuse to get into a vehicle with a driver who has been drinking.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility,” Minister Sileku concluded.

Mashatile outlines plans to tackle SA’s water crisis

Posted on November 26, 2025November 26, 2025 by

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has addressed the mounting water crisis facing South African municipalities, revealing a multifaceted approach to tackle systemic issues plaguing water and sanitation services nationwide.

Speaking in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday, Deputy President cited a report from the Department of Water and Sanitation, which shows a significant decline in the capacity of municipal water delivery.

As a result, national reliability has dropped to only 68%, and the quality of water in 60% of water supply systems is deteriorating.

Mashatile said this crisis stems from a combination of factors, including poor governance, lack of technical capacity, inadequate infrastructure investments, and financial mismanagement.

“I must highlight that government is taking decisive steps to resolve the systemic issues that continue to hinder the reliable provision of water and sanitation services to local communities.”

Through the Water Task Team, he said the government is tackling water security challenges by improving infrastructure, reforming institutions and expediting project management in a coordinated approach.

The South Africa National Water and Sanitation Indaba held in March this year proposed key interventions aimed at addressing the challenges of water provision and continuous disintegration of critical water infrastructure, amongst others.

Key recommendations included increased investments through financing options and ensuring the financial viability of the sector.

In addition, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has established a Water Partnership Office housed at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) to help municipalities prepare projects for private sector investment.

“Through this office, the department is already implementing several public-private partnerships, such as the Olifants River Management Model Programme.”

According to the Deputy President, this programme has been introduced to address the bulk water needs, particularly in Limpopo, to promote economic development and ensure the delivery of bulk raw water to municipalities.

He explained that this model is based on a 50/50 public-private partnership.

In this arrangement, 50% of the project’s cost is contributed by the mining companies, while the remaining 50% is funded by the government through water infrastructure grants and the budget facility for infrastructure.

He announced that the DWS, Water Boards and water service authorities are working to increase collaboration with the Infrastructure Fund to put in place more blended finance water projects.

He also touched on the projects in major cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town, the Vaal Gamagara Water Supply Scheme in the Northern Cape, Lesotho Highlands and uMkhomazi Water Projects.

In combating corruption, the country’s second-in-command acknowledged the significant challenge of water tanker corruption and infrastructure vandalism.

“National Treasury has issued a circular cautioning municipalities against long-term reliance on water tankers, which can only be used as temporary emergency measures.”

The Deputy President stressed the importance of collaborative approaches, calling for increased community involvement and a culture of reporting suspicious activities to expose criminal networks within the water sector.

“As government, we call for increased community participation in protecting critical infrastructure. We also urge communities to report suspicious activities and embrace the culture of whistleblowing to expose criminal networks and corruption within the water sector.”

He stated that the government remains committed to addressing these challenges, viewing water infrastructure as a critical national priority.

“Water is life. Government remains committed to improving the provision of a reliable water supply, especially to township and rural communities.”

SAPS nabs 16 000 suspects across the country

Posted on November 26, 2025November 25, 2025 by

The South African Police Service (SAPS) continues to register commendable progress in the fight against crime through its nationwide Safer Festive Season Operation, which led to the arrest of 16 066 suspects across the country.

The operation, carried out between 17 and 23 November 2025, is running alongside Operation Shanela II to ensure safety and security ahead of the festive season.

According to the SAPS, in one week, 1 870 wanted suspects were tracked down and apprehended for serious and violent crimes, which includes murder, rape, car hijackings, house and business robberies, and drug trafficking.

The nationwide breakdown of arrests across various crime categories include:

-143 suspects were arrested for murder. Gauteng recorded the highest number of arrests with 38, followed by KZN (26) and the Eastern Cape (25).
-178 suspects were arrested for rape, with the majority of arrests in KZN (39), followed by Eastern Cape with 25.
-170 suspects were arrested for attempted murder across multiple provinces.
-1 534 suspects were arrested for assault GBH [grievous bodily harm].
-2 778 suspects were arrested for possession of drugs, with the Western Cape recording the highest number of arrests with 1 649, followed by KZN with 390 and then Gauteng with 287.
-283 suspects were arrested for dealing in drugs, with the WC leading in arrestes (77) and followed by KZN (48).
-99 suspects were apprehended for illegal possession of unlicensed firearms.
-600 suspects were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
-890 were arrested for illegal liquor trade.
-449 were arrested for possession of dangerous weapons.

Major seizures and recoveries stand as follows:
-1 818 rounds of ammunition were seized during the same period.
-150 unlicensed firearms were seized.
-984 dangerous weapons were recovered.
-Contraband goods worth more than R4 million were seized in the past week.
-61 stolen and hijacked vehicles recovered.

Highlights of takedowns conducted across the country are as follows:
North West: Four suspects were arrested after kidnapping and robbing a businessman at Madibeng Hills, Klipgat, on 20 November 2025. During the tracing operation, police confiscated items, including two Pioneer CDJs, a Dixon mixing console, power cables, and an iPhone.

Gauteng: Police successfully recovered a Freightliner hijacked truck transporting medicine valued at R2.5 million in Olievenhoutbosch, Tshwane, on 21 November 2025. A suspect was arrested on the scene. Still in Gauteng, the Counterfeit Unit, in collaboration with brand protectors, conducted operations across the province and seized counterfeit and illicit goods worth R1.8 million.

Limpopo: Police, in collaboration with private sector partners, executed an intelligence-driven operation in Modjadjiskloof targeting suspected scrapyard linked to illicit vehicle activities and seized seven vehicles for further investigation.

Western Cape: Four armed suspects, who were travelling in a Toyota Hilux, were arrested, and one suspect was fatally wounded in a shootout with police at Jakes Gerwel Drive in Mitchell’s Plain on 19 November 2025. An Ak-47 rifle and two pistols with ammunition were seized on the scene. Still in the Western Cape, the Provincial Counterfeit Unit, Anti-Economic Task Team and brand protectors executed an operation and seized counterfeit and illicit items, including card games, branded products, tobacco products, and accessories worth R1 million.

Free State: Police arrested a wanted suspect linked to the murder of a 73-year-old woman, Senyora Mofokeng, who was found dead at her house after collecting her pension money on 03 December 2023. In the Free State, a joint police operation conducted at the Vaal Plaza tollgate led to the arrest of two suspects linked to armed robberies at jewellery stores in Bloemfontein. Police intercepted the suspects’ vehicle at the tollgate and a shootout ensued after one of the suspects pointed members with a firearm. Both suspects, aged between 27 and 35 years, sustained injuries and were treated on the scene. Police seized two 9mm pistols, an AK-47 rifle with ammunition and jewellery believed to be stolen during recent robberies

Mpumalanga: A 42-year-old suspect was arrested for kidnapping, robbery, and raping a 30-year-old woman at Bhamjee sqautter Camp in Ngodwana on 17 November 2025.

Eastern Cape: Police arrested two more suspects at the Vaal Plaza in Gauteng, who were linked to an armed robbery of a jewellery store at a shopping mall in Gqeberha on 18 November 2025. During the takedown at the toll plaza, a shootout ensued after one of the suspects pointed the police with a firearm. Both suspects sustained injuries and were arrested on the scene. Police seized two 9mm pistols, an AK-47 rifle with ammunition and jewellery believed to be stolen during recent robberies.

Still in the Eastern Cape, police intercepted an Opel Astra along the N2 near Jeffrey Bay and arrested three suspects for conspiracy to commit abalone poaching. Police seized 17 diving goggles, 5 torches, 17 pairs of diving boots, 17 pairs of flippers, 14 backpacks, 14 waist bags, 17 chucking tools, as well as a vehicle for further investigation.