Acting National Police Commissioner, Tebello Mosikili says law enforcement operations will be heightened throughout New Year’s Day to ensure that criminals are kept at bay.

Mosikili was speaking during a multidisciplinary integrated Safer Festive Season Operation that took place in Hillbrow and Johannesburg Central.

The operation is aimed at enhancing police visibility and ensuring that Gauteng residents feel safe in the New Year.

Mosikili says police are also working closely with communities across the country.

She says, “We are not only on the roadblocks, these are multi-disciplinary operations and it is done with other law enforcement in nature. We will also have our communities around that are working in these operations, so we ensure that they give us their support in terms of their expertise to help our law enforcement with their different expertise.”

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Entertainment hotspots

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) says it is ramping up law enforcement efforts on the roads, and around entertainment hotspots to ensure a safe New Year.

The increased vigilance has been extended to New Year’s Day and the post-holiday travel period.

RTMC Chief Communications Officer, Simon Zwane says over 6 470 individuals have been arrested for various offenses, including drunken driving, excessive speeding, unlicensed driving, reckless driving and overloading since December 1.

He says more than 120 pedestrians have been taken into custody for jaywalking and putting other road users’ lives at risk.

Zwane says, “Pedestrians are also warned to refrain from crossing the roads where it is not safe to do so. More than 100 motorists have been arrested. We advise motorists to drive carefully especially in the rain and reduce speed and show that they can reach their destination safely.”– Additional reporting by Nonhlanhla Ntshingila.