​A taxi driver had his vehicle impounded after a run-in with the City of Cape Town’s Traffic Service on Thursday 15 June 2017.

Officers on point duty at the intersection of Chestnut Way and Erica Drive in Belhar spotted the driver committing several violations of the National Road Traffic Act. When they stopped the vehicle, they found 32 passengers in the taxi – 14 of them standing (watch video clip here: https://bit.ly/2tiVq3P).

To make matters worse, the driver was unlicensed and operating in contravention of his operating licence, which resulted in the automatic impoundment of the vehicle and his arrest.

‘This is an absolutely shocking incident. While I understand that there is immense pressure on the public transport system as well as the people who rely on it to get to work, there is no excuse for this type of behaviour. I shudder to think of the consequences if that vehicle had to be in a collision. I appeal to the public to please steer clear of overloaded vehicles, for their own safety and that of others. Incidents like these do nothing for the reputation of the taxi industry and so I also call on owners and associations to address this type of lawlessness,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security; and Social Services, Alderman JP Smith.

On the same morning, officers on duty in Adderley Street spotted a fully loaded taxi speeding through an intersection. They gave chase and pulled over the vehicle, only to discover that the driver was under the influence of alcohol.

On Wednesday 14 June 2017, a traffic officer spotted a taxi driver going over a painted island on the N2 between Jan Smuts Drive and Raapenberg Road. When the officer checked the vehicle’s details, he found that it had been stolen and used in an armed robbery in Khayelitsha earlier this year. The driver was arrested. During Operation Restore in Mitchells Plain, two suspects were arrested for reckless and negligent driving. Officers also impounded 14 vehicles and issued 516 fines.

Elsewhere, City traffic officers arrested four suspects for fraud after discovering they were using false licence plates, identity numbers and driving licences. A total of 24 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol during roadblocks in Muizenberg, Kuils River and on Jakes Gerwel Drive, and one more for possession of dagga.

The City’s Metro Police arrested 60 motorists for drunk driving, one on charges of domestic violence, one for possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition, and 10 for possession of drugs.

In the early hours of Sunday 18 June 2017, the K9 Unit reacted to a tip-off from a member of the public about illegal drug activities at a residence in Lavender Hill. When they got to the house, the suspect threw the drugs out of the window – in full view of officers who had gone around the back of the property. The 27-year-old suspect was arrested and taken to the Steenberg police station. Officers confiscated various quantities of dagga, tik, mandrax and two 9 mm rounds of ammunition.

On Friday 16 June 2017, at approximately 14:05, Metro Police officers attached to the Gang and Drug Task Team and the K9 unit received a tip-off about drugs at an address in Hanover Park. As the officers entered the house, the suspects flushed some of the drugs down the toilet, but officers were still able to confiscate a number of dagga cigarettes and arrest two suspects – a 28-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman.

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