Safety and Security Mayoral Committee Member, JP Smith condemned the recent attack on City traffic officers on patrol across the City.
This comes after officers attached to the Ghost Squad were assaulted and stabbed with vehicle keys after they tried to arrest a reckless taxi driver near Duinefontein Road on Monday.
The driver was cornered following a high-speed chase with officers on the N2 after he was seen overtaking other vehicles on the shoulder lane near Borcherds Quarry.
“The officers indicated by means of blue lights, sirens and public address system for the driver to pull over, but he refused, resulting in a chase, and officers calling for assistance.”
While resisting the arrest, the driver then grabbed hold of a second officer’s pepper spray and attacked the officers using the canister, while punching and kicking them.
According to Smith, the driver jumped back into his vehicle and ordered three school learners to get out of the vehicle before speeding off. Following a chase by more officers who had arrived to assist, he was again boxed in, but jumped over the N2 median wall and ran away toward Bonteheuwel.
The driver was arrested at the Green Point Traffic Department on Tuesday when the owner of the taxi brought him in. He will be charged with assault and reckless and negligent driving.
The three officers who were assaulted were taken by ambulance to N1 City Hospital and the incident has been reported to the South African Police Service.
“Incidents such as this cannot, and will not, be tolerated. Our officers run the gauntlet daily in executing their duties which are to the benefit and safety of all our residents.”
In another incident, an officer was hit by a passing vehicle on Tuesday during a checkpoint on the Klipfontein Service Road in Athlone. The injured officer was taken to hospital for medical treatment and the incident is being investigated.
“This compels us to respond to these incidents by sharpening up enforcement actions to curtail the recklessness and disrespect for the law with additional operations.”
Smith says incidents like this are why the City will be amending legislation to permit more effective enforcement relating to public transport. The final changes are being made to the Traffic By-law which will be advertised for public participation soon.
According to the MMC, amendments to the by-law make provision for impoundments of any motor vehicle committing serious moving violations and transgression of traffic laws that endanger lives on the road.
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