January 4, 2006
By Ndaba Dlamini
THE City's emergency and police services went all out over the festive season, launching various operations around Johannesburg to ensure the safety of residents.
The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) set up a string of roadblocks, code-named Operation Enver, in an effort to reduce accidents. The operation was dedicated to 25-year-old police officer Enver Enock, who was shot dead in Rosebank in late November last year, according to JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar.
"The operation was launched on 2 December 2005 and targeted drunk drivers. We managed to arrest more than 240 drivers from the launch date to 31 December for driving under the influence," Minnaar added.
Roadblocks were also set up along the Golden Highway and Stockwell Road in Eldorado Park, where 17 people were arrested for driving while drunk.
Roadblocks were also set up in Hillbrow and the CBD, and in other parts of the city, on 15 December, netting 183 people with outstanding traffic fines.
On New Year's Eve, only four motorists were arrested for driving under the influence. Minnaar said the reason for the low number of transgressors was due to the operation being widely publicised on radio and TV. "During these publicity campaigns, people were given stiff warnings on the consequences of drinking and driving."
He warned that more roadblocks are to be set up this weekend because "we expect a large volume of traffic when people are returning from holidays".
New Year's Eve
The City's Emergency Management Services (EMS) were also on high alert over the holiday period to attend to any eventualities, particularly during New Year's Eve celebrations.
An emergency station was set up in Hillbrow, a part of the city notorious for unruly behaviour during New Year festivities.
The station recorded 63 injuries between 6pm on 31 December and 6am on 1 January, according to EMS spokesperson, Malcolm Midgley. "A mixture of injuries was attended to, mostly gun shot and stab wounds. Seven people were treated for serious injuries and the rest were minor." In the same time period the previous year 65 people were treated for injuries.
Johannesburg South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson, Superintendent Chris Wilken, said compared to previous years, Hillbrow residents conducted themselves in a "satisfactory manner".
"Besides the alcohol-related injuries, New Year's Eve was very quiet in the suburb and I think residents are beginning to realise that they can enjoy themselves without any violence," he said.
The Johannesburg carnival on New Year's Eve, and the ensuing concert at the Mary Fitzgerald Square, went well, "with no incidents reported", Wilken added.
The various EMS divisions also attended to a range of emergencies on New Year's Day around the city.
In the early hours of New Year, the City's emergency services attended to two fires in informal settlements. The first fire, in Kya Sands, north of Randburg, destroyed about 20 shacks. No deaths or injuries were reported.
The second, in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, ripped through 5th Avenue at about 4.30am. One person died and some 15 shacks were destroyed.
On the same day, three people were reported drowned in different incidents around the city, the EMS reported.
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