Tshwane Metro Police in South Africa has arrested one Mr. James Olorunsola who was identified as a Nigerian with 33 other people between Friday and early Sunday morning during night operations in the youthful suburb of Sunnyside in Pretoria for various offences.
According to the Metro Police, the operations, which were a success, were aimed at ensuring that Sunnyside remained a safe and viable place in which to live and do business.
Of the 34 people arrested, 28 were arrested for drunk driving, with 12 of them arrested between Friday night and early Saturday morning.
James Olorunsola and one other person were arrested at the same time for interfering with the work of police officers.
According to the City of Tshwane spokesperson, Console Tleane, these were passengers in the vehicles driven by the drunk drivers. They had wanted to interfere with officers by arguing that the driver should not be arrested and wanting to block the arrests.
Tleane said interference with the work of a police officer was an offence that could land a person in jail. It was an offence in terms of the SA Police Act, within which the Metro Police operates, and the Criminal Procedure Act.
Two other people, a couple, were fighting in public on Friday night and did not heed the officers' order to stop fighting. They were arrested for public disturbance.
The remaining 16 of the 28 (drunk driving) were arrested between Saturday night and early Sunday night, also for drunk driving. Again two other people were arrested for interference.
"All the arrested persons were locked up at the Sunnyside Police Station, where they were charged with drunk driving and interference respectively," Tleane said.
"They were released on bail and will appear in court on a date determined by the SAPS and the court."
In addition to the arrests, four pubs were closed down for violating different national and city by-laws. These included fire safety by-laws, such as not having adequate or safe fire escapes, fire extinguishers, and also health laws, such as clean cooking areas.
Twelve other pubs were given warnings for violating the liquor regulations by closing after 2am.
The regulations stipulate that all liquor outlets must close off at 2am. The pubs were ordered to close their doors immediately and revellers ordered to leave.
Overall the operations went very well, with no incidents reported. The Metro Police will continue with operations like these, with a view to keeping out crime and grime out of the city inner core.
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