More than 100 people were arrested at an illegal drag-racing event at Nasrec outside Soweto on Friday, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department said.
”Residents of Diepkloof and nearby areas using the Nasrec Road coming in and out of Soweto had for far too long endured the inconvenience of not being able to use the road as it is often closed off from 10pm on Thursdays during this dangerous and illegal pastime.”
The swoop was conducted shortly after 1am on Friday. Among those arrested were 45 drivers who were charged for reckless driving, with 15 of them paying admission of guilt fines while others were released on warning. Two other persons were arrested for the possession of unlicenced firearms.
Another motorist was arrested for drunken driving while some 63 minors were arrested for loitering. They were later released into the care of their parents.
A quantity of Mandrax and Ecstasy drugs were found on the scene but no one was arrested.
The department said the situation created conditions conducive to breeding crime, especially vehicle theft, public drinking and drug peddling, illegal road closures, as well as drunken driving and loitering.
Said JMPD chief Chris Nqcobo: ”We are serious about ensuring that residents of Johannesburg live in a crime-free, healthy and secure environment.”
He said the swoop showed that illegal drag-racing had reached its ”sell-by date” in Johannesburg.
The clampdown on drag racing would intensify in coming weeks. Public roads belonged to the public, he said. — Sapa