A shocking series of events unfolded in Cape Town after video clips emerged showing a traffic officer with his arm around a taxi driver, followed by widespread rumors claiming that the driver had died. The incident escalated into a tense hostage situation at the Cape Town Station Deck on Tuesday morning.
The controversy began when videos shared on social media showed a distraught woman claiming that the taxi driver was dead. This sparked outrage among the driver’s colleagues, who allegedly held two law enforcement officers hostage in a standoff at the station deck, demanding answers. The situation remained tense until the officers were eventually freed.
The incident, which took place near Langa on the N2, was triggered by a traffic stop where the driver attempted to flee after being pulled over for driving illegally along the shoulder of the road. The officers quickly apprehended the driver, who was later found to have an outstanding warrant of just under R3,000. However, confusion arose when false information began circulating on social media, stating that the driver had died after the arrest.
Makhosandile Tumana, spokesperson for the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta), explained that the drivers had believed their colleague had been killed during the arrest, leading to the violent protest. Tumana stated that many drivers were unaware that the driver had actually collapsed from suffocation, not died, and that he had been taken into custody at the Athlone police station.
Miscommunication Fuels Tensions
Mayco member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, clarified that traffic officers had used force to subdue the driver due to his resistance during the arrest, which was necessary to protect both the officers and the public. He explained that a chokehold was applied in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act, as the driver’s actions posed a risk to the safety of passengers and other road users. Smith added that the misinformation about the driver’s death had resulted in unnecessary protests, illegal gatherings, and road blockages, adding to the chaos.
As the situation unfolded, tensions escalated further when members of the taxi industry illegally gathered and blocked roads, holding two law enforcement officers hostage. Fortunately, they were later released, and the protests died down.
Investigation Underway
Sergeant Wesley Twigg, a police spokesperson, confirmed that both the traffic officer and the driver were now at the Athlone police station, where a case of reckless and negligent driving was being investigated.
This unsettling chain of events highlights the dangers of misinformation spreading through social media, as well as the delicate balance of power between law enforcement and the public. As the investigation continues, authorities are urging the public to allow the legal process to unfold without further violence or disruption.
