Cape Town - Claims that police were unable to respond to a theft on Chapman's Peak Drive between Noordhoek and Hout Bay because they could not pay toll fees were disputed on Wednesday.
“This is a lie,” Western Cape transport MEC Robin Carlisle said in a statement.
Hout Bay's police station commissioner has been reported as saying police responding to a crime were blocked from entering Chapman's Peak Drive because they could not pay the requisite R36 toll.
Police were on Sunday reportedly called to the scene of a theft, where R20 000 was stolen out of the car of an Iranian family who were on holiday in the area.
Carlisle said contrary to comments attributed to Hout Bay police station commissioner Colonel Bongani Mtakati, the driver of the police car received a day pass allowing him through the toll.
Three minutes later, the police car returned through the toll in the direction of Hout Bay.
“Claims by (Mtakati) that his vehicles are regularly held up at the Chapman's Peak toll are demonstrably without substance,” Carlisle said.
Police vehicles in the performance of duty were exempt from tolls through an agreement between Entilini Concession, which operates the toll plaza, and the provincial government.
Police spokesman Lt-Col Andre Traut said the matter was under review and declined to comment.
Sapa