If you break any of Johannesburg's laws this festive season, you'll be shown no mercy. That's the short, sharp and strict message from Johannesburg officials.
The city is embarking on a clean-up which will cover everyone from speedsters to those who have not paid their child maintenance.
The crackdown, aimed at making for a happier Christmas, will involve massive roadblocks, arrests without notification, confiscation of cars, hawker removals and more CCTV cameras to catch criminals.
Drivers caught doing 60km/h over the speed limit will, for the first time, be arrested without notification, even if caught by camera.
Those doing more than 60km/h over the limit will have their vehicles confiscated.
Already the Johannesburg Metro Police department (JMPD) has applied to the Asset Forfeiture Unit to seize three vehicles caught in the past two weeks a Toyota RunX doing 208km/h; a Mercedes doing 228km/h and a Lamborghini caught at 251km/h.
"We will show no mercy. Previously we issued tickets and summonses to appear in court.
"We are now arresting people and taking their cars, said JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar.
Furthermore, 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.
"A print-out will be given on the spot and four copies sent to different departments so there is no escape or wasting of time waiting for blood to be taken," Minnaar said.
"The JMPD will be using a 22-point roadblock system which means that 22 roadblocks will be set up simultaneously across the city," he said.
Home affairs and Sars officials will be at the roadblocks to catch illegal immigrants and those owing money to the Receiver of Revenue.
In the near future, this will also include maintenance dodgers.
In addition to the recently installed cameras on the N1, 16 CCTV cameras have been installed on the M1 between Empire Road and Corlett Drive at a cost of R8-million.
These will be linked to the CBD control room.
Although their primary purpose is to enable traffic monitoring and the reporting of incidents to the JMPD, emergency management services and the media, they will be used to monitor criminal activity.
There is also going to be a massive crackdown on bylaw offenders.
This morning hawkers were cleared off the streets as part of the blitz. "We will be focusing on safety and inspecting premises of entertainment venues for fire hazards; food establishments to ensure hygiene; and parks to ensure there is no drinking, fires or noise pollution," Minnaar said.
The JMPD will be working with the police; emergency management services; the department of community safety; environmental health; the Liquor Board; Town Planning, City Power and Eskom until January 20.
Pikitup is on board and will be arranging for additional cleaning during the festive season.
There will be a special focus on businesses in the inner city and Newtown since statistics show that business robberies and burglaries there have increased extensively over the past year.
These are likely to increase over the festive season. Said Minnaar: "These crimes are very difficult to police through patrols and CCTV cameras as they mostly occur inside business premises.
A dedicated Business Crime Hotline was established for the inner city and will be operated through the Cueincident control room.
Businesses will now be able to report incidents directly to the control room and JMPD and police officers will be dispatched immediately.
About 700 000 pamphlets containing safety tips will also be distributed throughout the city.
City of Johannesburg member of the mayoral committee for public safety Thomas Phakathi said: "With the festive season upon us, the objective is to make the city a safer place for all of us, especially on the roads".
These joint operations would become a permanent feature.
The operations will focus on reducing road fatalities by targeting drivers who disregard rules.
The youth will also be targeted with special messages with regards to drug and alcohol abuse.
There will also be increased police visibility in the city and particularly around pension payout points and other identified crime hotspots.
The message is simple, keep safe, stay sober and drive responsibly.
"No criminal activity or breaking of traffic laws will be tolerated and the key to successfully doing this is support from road users, business and residents alike," said Phakathi.
The Central Johannesburg Partnership will also be deploying additional precinct guards in the inner city and the public are urged to seek assistance from them.
Telephone numbers to call are SAPS on 10111, JMPD on 011-375-5911 and 011-331-1339 to reach Cueincidents control room.
