Taxi driver invaded arrest; causes uproar at Cape Town Station Deck

Taxi drivers met with police at the Cape Town station deck on Tuesday. This after a taxi driver reportedly fled after being pulled over for driving along the shoulder of the road on the N2 incoming, near Langa, earlier in the day. It is understood the minibus operator also has an outstanding warrant of just under R3 000.

Breaking news, a traffic officer killed a taxi driver in Cape Town, N2 near Langa Township. @TrafficRTMC @CityofCT @CapeTownFreeway @geordinhl @SA_Taxis pic.twitter.com/vneAjTWDU1

— PutSouthAfricansFirst 🇿🇦🇿🇦 (@JeffDumisani) March 4, 2025

Taxi drivers earlier blocked the roadway leading to the deck, but the road has since been reopened

COURTESY: Facebook - JP Smith

Chairperson of the Cape Organisation for Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA), Ncebe Enge, said the strike is linked to the "brutal manner" applied by law enforcement who apprehended a taxi driver earlier this morning on the N2 near Langa.

"This strike emanates from what happened this morning where the traffic officer tried to strangle the driver to the point where he collapsed. But on top of that, he was arrested and is at the Athlone Police station, so the drivers are demanding for him to be released from the police station," said Enge. 

Mayco Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said the driver’s actions put his passengers and other road users at risk, adding this was aggravated by the fact that he resisted arrest after Traffic officers stopped his vehicle, placing himself and the officers in danger.

‘’Officers were therefore forced to subdue him, in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act, which stipulates that an arresting officer may use sufficient force as is necessary to arrest an offender. The chokehold in this case prevented any injury, which could happen if the accused is not restrained or resorts to violence if they decide to fight with officers while resisting arrest.’’

Reports suggested that the taxi driver arrested died, but he went on social media, saying he was in fact arrested

📺 WATCH 📺

Driver is alive and speaks in video footage below: https://t.co/ynvaNEFHaN pic.twitter.com/YNwovnJBBj

— SANTACO (@SA_Taxis) March 4, 2025

Smith, said this misinformation has caused panic to the public

‘’ This misinformation has now also resulted in unnecessary tensions in the CBD, seemingly involving some within the minibus industry, with an illegal gathering, the closure of roads and holding two of our Law Enforcement officers hostage. Their colleagues have since freed them.’’

‘’These actions are illegal and will inevitably lead to an escalation of conflict and I call on those involved to cease and desist and allow the law to take its course,’’ he added.

 

Done By: Mitchum George