Cape Town - A traffic officer has been knocked down by a taxi driver he tried to pull over at the Belrail and Robert Sobukwe interchange in Bellville.
Police say the taxi driver was arrested on a charge of attempted murder.
The traffic officer was doing routine checks at about 8.30am when he indicated to the taxi driver to pull off the road. But the driver refused to stop and instead accelerated, knocking down the officer.
Cape Town Traffic Services spokesperson, Maxine Jordaan, confirmed the incident.
“A City of Cape Town traffic officer was hit by a taxi this morning while on point duty at the intersection of Robert Sobukwe and Belrail Roads in Bellville,” she said.
“The officer indicated to the driver to stop, but he accelerated and hit the officer instead. The officer was transported to the N1 City hospital for treatment. He is in a stable condition, but has declined to make his identity public.
“The taxi driver was arrested and taken to the Bellville police station. A docket was opened for attempted murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and reckless and negligent driving.”
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed the driver’s arrest.
“The driver of a Toyota Quantum disobeyed the instructions to stop and one of the officers was hit by the vehicle,” Van Wyk said. “The driver, a 39-year-old male from Kraaifontein, was arrested and detained at SAPS Bellville. A case of attempted murder was opened for investigation.”
Daily Voice