City traffic officers arrest taxi driver with over R220 000 in warrants
City traffic officers arrested a 54-year-old Athlone minibus taxi driver during a Friday the 13th roadblock on Jakes Gerwel Drive after discovering outstanding warrants totalling R220 150.
Image: File
A minibus taxi driver whose luck ran out on Friday the 13th was arrested during a City of Cape Town roadblock after officers discovered outstanding warrants worth more than R220 000.
The 54-year-old Athlone man was stopped by City traffic officers during a roadblock on Jakes Gerwel Drive near the N2 at 7:44am on March 13.
According to the City, officers were conducting routine checks on the driver and the roadworthiness of his vehicle when they verified whether he had any outstanding warrants of arrest.
The check revealed multiple outstanding warrants totalling R220 150.
He was arrested on the spot and detained at Athlone SAPS.
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said the arrest should serve as a reminder to motorists to deal with unpaid fines before they escalate into warrants.
“It was an unlucky day for this driver, but a timely reminder to all motorists to regularly check for outstanding fines and warrants of arrest, and to address these promptly to avoid possible arrest,” Smith said.
“While we receive many complaints about the behaviour of taxis on our roads, ordinary motorists also break the law and add to the recklessness in traffic.”
Smith said residents would soon have an opportunity to resolve outstanding fines at the City’s next Traffic Fine Roadshow, scheduled to take place in Athlone next week.
The arrest formed part of a broader enforcement push by the City’s safety and security agencies.
Traffic officers made 40 arrests during the past week, including 34 for driving under the influence, one for reckless and negligent driving and five on other charges.
Officers also recorded 45 756 traffic offences, impounded 145 public transport vehicles and executed 1 713 warrants of arrest.
Law enforcement officers made 204 arrests and issued 10 151 notices, while metro police arrested 116 suspects and issued 4 871 fines for traffic and by-law transgressions.
Metro police also confiscated drugs including mandrax, dagga and tik.
Meanwhile, the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre received 1 490 requests for assistance over the same period. These included 501 medical incidents, among them 81 assault cases, as well as 51 incidents of domestic violence, 46 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents and 363 by-law complaints.