Operation Exodus in Cape Town

Thousands of fines issued, 14 arrested during Operation Exodus

City of Cape Town Traffic Services has assessed Operation Exodus, and the results show it was a great success. Traffic Officers issued over 5 000 speeding fines, checked more than 1 800 vehicles, issued over 600 fines for various traffic offences across the city and arrested 14 illegal sedan taxi operators.

Operation Exodus was launched on 15 December 2010 and aimed at clamping down on unsafe vehicles leaving the City, with a particular focus on targeting long-distance public transport operators. 

Various Public Transport Interchanges, including Joe Gqabi, Bellville / Parc Du Cap, Mfuleni, Langa, Du Noon, Cape Town Station, R27 and Epping were manned with traffic officers. Vehicle check points and speed checks were also set up in the vicinity of the Public Transport Interchanges.

Traffic Officers focused on all major routes leading out of the City, such as the N1, N2 and the N7. The operation was planned and coordinated in such a way that every possible access and exit route was manned, ensuring that all long distance taxis and busses leaving the interchanges were inspected for roadworthiness and driver fitness before departure.  

The following are some of the successes achieved:

*        4 523 fines were recorded for excessive speeding

*        1848 vehicles were stopped and checked

*        Of these 1848 vehicles, 1328 buses and taxis underwent stringent roadworthy, driver fitness and load checks before their departure

*        42 long distance vehicles were suspended for various defects and traffic officers did not allow them to continue their journey 

According to Chief Inspector Merle Lourens, spokesperson for Cape Town Traffic Services, Ghost Squad members stopped a Nissan Sentra at a road block held on the N1 near Klipheuwel off ramp this Festive Season after noticing that the two male occupants were acting suspiciously. Further investigation led to them finding approximately 100 dagga parcels under the passenger seat of the vehicle. Both persons were arrested and will appear in Court on charges of possession of illegal substances.

City Traffic Services also held integrated joint operations with Metro Police and Provincial Traffic in the Nyanga area. The operation targeted illegal sedan taxi operators, also known as the 'Amaphelas'. Traffic Officers arrested 14 illegal sedan taxi operators and impounded their ‘Amaphelas’. Another person was also arrested for being in possession of a stolen vehicle.

In this operation, a total of 197 traffic offences were recorded including:  

*        77 fines issues to unlicensed drivers

*        51 for unlicensed vehicles

*        19 fines issued to drivers without professional driving permits

*        45 warrants of arrest executed

“We have placed a strong emphasis on the enforcement of public transport vehicles over the festive season, with the aim of reducing the alarmingly high accident rate on our roads. We will now shift our focus to the large number of vehicles that will be returning to our city as the holiday season ends,” said Lourens.