City traffic officers under attack

The City of Cape Town has condemned attacks on its traffic officers while executing their duties, with two incidents occurring a day apart.

On Monday, Ghost Squad officers were on patrol on the N2, when they observed a motorist overtaking other vehicles on the shoulder of the roadway 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. They eventually managed to box the vehicle in near Duinefontein Road, with the assistance of their colleagues, and the driver was informed that he would be arrested for reckless and negligent driving,’’ explained JP Smith, Mayco Member for Safety & Security.

COURTESY: Facebook -  JP Smith

‘’While attempting to place the suspect in handcuffs, he resisted, and instead assaulted the officer by stabbing them in the head, using his vehicle keys. He then grabbed hold of a second officer’s pepper spray, and attacked the officers using the canister, while punching and kicking them.’’

‘’The driver jumped back into his vehicle and ejected three learners before speeding off, pursued by more officers who had arrived to assist. He was again boxed in, but jumped over the N2 median wall and ran away in the direction of Bonteheuwel,’’ added Smith.

He says the driver was arrested at the Green Point Traffic Departmen, when the owner of the taxi brought him in. He will be charged with assault and reckless and negligent driving.

In another incident on Tuesday, an officer was hit by a passing vehicle during a checkpoint on the Klipfontein Service Road in Athlone. Smith says the officer was taken to hospital for medical treatment and the incident is being investigated.

Smith says 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. 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.’’

ARCHIVE: MMC for Safety & Security, JP Smith

He says the City will be amending legislation imminently to permit for 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. 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,’’ said JP Smith, Mayco Member for Safety & Security.

 

Done By: Mitchum George