Johannesburg is embarking on a clean-up this festive season which will cover everyone from speedsters, drunk drivers, people transporting fake goods, to those who have not paid their taxes or committed serious crimes. The crackdown will involve large roadblocks, arrests without notification, confiscation of cars, hawker removals and more CCTV cameras being put up to catch criminals.The Johannesburg Metro Police Department will be working with SAPS, EMS, Department of Community Safety, Environmental Health, Liquor Board, Town Planning, City Power and Eskom until 20 January to intensify the fight against crime, traffic and by-law violations. Home Affairs and Receiver of Revenue officials are also involved.
New alcohol breathalysers have been introduced which, for the first time, are being accepted by the courts as evidence without the back-up of a blood sample. The JMPD will be using a 22-point roadblock system which means that 22 roadblocks will be set up simultaneously across the city. Home Affairs and SARS officials will also be assisting at roadblocks to catch illegals and those owing money to the Receiver of Revenue. In the near future, this will also include maintenance dodgers. On top of that, there will be a crackdown on bylaw offenders.
City of Johannesburg member of the mayoral committee for Public Safety, Thomas Phakathi said these joint operations would be extended beyond the festive season and turned into a permanent feature for the city.
The Central Johannesburg Partnership will also be deploying additional precinct guards in the inner city and the public is urged to seek assistance from these distinctively uniformed guards.