The City of Cape Town has destroyed 3,000 litres of confiscated alcohol as part of its festive season safety and readiness plan. The alcohol was seized during enforcement operations conducted in the first two weeks of December.
The City has reiterated that the consumption of alcohol in public spaces is prohibited and has warned that law enforcement will intensify operations throughout the holiday period.
On average, approximately 15,000 litres of alcohol are confiscated and destroyed by the City each year.
Safety and Security Mayoral Committee Member JP Smith said public drinking plays a significant role in injuries, accidents and fatalities. He noted that pedestrian deaths remain the leading form of road fatalities, often occurring when intoxicated pedestrians come into contact with vehicles.
Smith added that alcohol consumption also contributes to injuries and drownings at beaches, explaining that these incidents decline significantly when alcohol use is reduced. Drunk driving, he said, continues to pose a serious threat to public safety.