Law Enforcement Officers confiscate 1 679 bottles of alcohol at Cape Town Festival

Law enforcement officers is determent to stop people from drinking alcohol in public places. While the City of Cape Town will do everything in its power to ensure holidaymakers enjoy the many attractions of the city, public drinking will not be tolerated, the council warned, after confiscating more than 1 679 bottles and cans of alcohol on Sunday night, during the switch-on of the festive season lights in the city centre.

Over 100 000 Cape Town residents and visitors attended the massive event, where many local performing artists entertained crowds until late Sunday night.

During the festivities, officers made four arrests – one for assault on a peace officer and three for being drunk in public.

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In terms of the City’s by-laws, it is illegal to consume alcohol in public. Anyone found contravening the by-laws has their alcohol confiscated and receives a R500 fine. They are able to reclaim their impounded alcohol, at a cost, once the fine has been paid.

During last year’s festive season, the City’s enforcement agencies confiscated just shy of 12 600 litres of alcohol – up from 7 000 litres the year before.

‘Very few people reclaim their alcohol, but that’s neither here nor there. Our priority is to ensure that we confiscate as much alcohol as possible and prevent the associated problems that come with alcohol consumption, like anti-social behaviour which sours events and outings for others, drunk driving, and potential fatalities,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Photo credit: PaintAPicture