In an escalation of tensions, City Traffic Officers and taxi drivers faced off again on the N2 outbound on Tuesday afternoon near Raapenberg Road.
The City says an officer pulled over a taxi driver for using the shoulder of the road. According to the City, passing taxi drivers then became involved, assaulting and injuring at least three officers and stoning patrol vehicles.
The MMC for Safety and Security JP Smith says the crowd could not free the suspect, but drove off in his taxi instead, preventing it from being impounded.
He says one of the officers was bitten on the arm, and his colleague had to fight off the attacker who refused to let go.
Footage shows traffic officers struggled to restrain the driver, at one stage the driver is punched in what appears to be the stomach, and in another scene, a traffic officer has placed his knee on the driver’s head while he is lying on the road.
“This lawlessness will not be tolerated, and criminal charges have already been laid with SAPS. Our SSIU is working closely with SAPS to find those involved in the attack. We also call on anyone with information about the incident to come forward and report it to SAPS, the Public Emergency Communication Centre or our anonymous tip-off line on 0800 110077.”
Yet another incident involving traffic officers and a taxi driver. Details are unclear pic.twitter.com/tg4auU6Nzm
— Veve (@LudidiVelani) March 4, 2025
Yet another incident involving traffic officers and a taxi driver. Details are unclear pic.twitter.com/tg4auU6Nzm
— Veve (@LudidiVelani) March 4, 2025
The incident comes after a video of a traffic officer, placing a taxi driver in a chokehold on Tuesday morning, spread like wildfire on social media.
The driver was pulled over for driving on the shoulder of the N2 incoming near Langa, but he resisted arrest, with Smith claiming the chokehold was needed to prevent injury.
Due to misinformation about the incident online, in which it was claimed the driver died, a taxi blockade ensued at the station deck in the early afternoon.
SANTACO has condemned both incidents, accusing the City’s traffic officers of using excessive force.
SANTACO Western Cape Chairperson Mandla Hermanus says while everyone must respect the rule of law, including minibus taxi drivers and operators; law enforcement officers have to exercise restraint.
“This attitude only serves to promote the ill-treatment of taxi operators and drivers by traffic officers. It does little to assist the leadership of the taxi industry as we do our utmost to promote safe driving and compliance and to foster a better working relationship between the minibus taxi industry and other spheres of government.”
Hermanus also addressed the second incident, claiming that this second driver was specifically targeted after protesting against the excessive force used in the previous incident.
“We call on the City of Cape Town to take immediate action against officers involved in these incidents and to ensure that law enforcement operates within the bounds of the law. Taxi drivers, like all citizens, have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.”
Hermanus has appealed to SANTACO members to remain calm and obey all laws, while they “pursue this matter through the appropriate channels.”
