A dramatic escalation unfolded in Cape Town on Tuesday morning as taxi operators reportedly took two traffic officials hostage following the arrest of a taxi driver whose confrontation with law enforcement went viral.
Cape Town traffic officials taken hostage amid taxi industry backlash
According to a statement from the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith, tensions erupted after officers arrested a taxi driver on the N2 near Langa just before 07:00.
The driver, who was pulled over for illegally driving on the shoulder of the road, allegedly fled the scene before being apprehended.
The City has since confirmed that he had an outstanding warrant of nearly R3,000.
“The driver’s actions put his passengers and other road users at risk, but this was aggravated by the fact that he resisted arrest. Officers were therefore forced to subdue him, in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act, which stipulates that an arresting officer may use sufficient force as is necessary to arrest an offender,” Smith stated.
The City maintains that the chokehold used in the arrest was necessary to prevent injury, arguing that “if the accused is not restrained, they may resort to violence while resisting arrest.”
Following the arrest, a video of the incident circulated widely on social media, with claims that the taxi driver had died from strangulation. However, Smith clarified that the driver was alive and in custody at the Athlone police station.
“Unfortunately, due to misinformation spread on social media, claims soon started circulating that the driver had died, when he was in fact in custody and being processed,” Smith said.
This misinformation appears to have triggered a backlash from the taxi industry, leading to an illegal gathering in the Cape Town CBD, road closures, and the temporary hostage-taking of two law enforcement officers.
According to the City, the officers have since been freed by their colleagues. However, the situation remains tense, with concerns over further retaliation.
“These actions are illegal and will inevitably lead to an escalation of conflict,” Smith warned.
“I call on those involved to cease and desist and allow the law to take its course.”
Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, and further developments are expected as tensions between the taxi industry and law enforcement continue to rise.
