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Cape Town - A Metro Police officer was one of the traffic offenders arrested over the weekend, the City of Cape Town said in a statement.
"It is really disappointing to discover that one of our own was involved in this type of activity. He is set to appear in court soon and all due processes will be followed.
"The law must take its course, because we will not tolerate this type of behaviour from our staff who are meant to be the custodians of law and order," mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said.
While busy with their anti-crime operations, a tip-off also led to the arrest of a suspect in possession of 34 dagga "stoppe", mixed with Hookah pipe tobacco.
"This is of grave concern and something that needs to be nipped in the bud. It would seem the drug dealers are taking advantage of the fact that very young children are smoking hookah pipes with abandon," Smith warned,
"What better way to corner your future market than by knowingly or unknowingly exposing children to these drug-laced concoctions?
"Children should not be smoking hookah pipes to begin with, because smoking in itself is harmful to one’s health, but this is taking a completely new turn and is something that parents should be mindful of.
"More than that, it is also a rather clever way of masking drug abuse and is certainly something that our enforcement agencies will start paying much closer attention to."
For the traffic offences, ten motorists were arrested for reckless and negligent driving this past weekend after they were caught participating in illegal street races, according to the statement.
On Saturday, during an operation held in the Athlone/Ottery areas, officers arrested six suspects for reckless and negligent driving, six more for drunk driving and one for producing a false driving licence. Officers also issued 62 fines for various other offences.
"On Sunday, operations in Sea Point, Bellville and Paarden Eiland saw four more motorists arrested for reckless and negligent driving, another for drunk driving and the issuing of 102 fines. One of those arrested was a Metro Police officer."
Smith said in another incident, a motorist became aggressive when officers suspended his Ferrari for not having a front number plate.
"He even took photos of the officers and threatened to upload these on Facebook. The arrogance of the motorist clearly displays a lack of respect for the law."
In other operations conducted by the City’s traffic service, 14 vehicles were impounded during a scholar transport operation in Welcome Estate and seven vehicles were impounded during a public transport operation in Sea Point and central Cape Town.
Meanwhile, Metro Police arrested 36 motorists for drunk driving at roadblocks in Gugulethu, Manenberg, Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha.
