Taxi driver, boss arrested in CBD for traffic violation

A TAXI driver and his boss were tracked down and arrested in the Durban CBD this morning for a traffic violation.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane, the Durban Accident Combating Unit arrested the 38-year-old suspect for violation of National Road Traffic Act. “A police officer from Durban Accident Combating Unit was on his way to work driving along R102 when he noticed a minibus full of 14 passengers in front of him in congested traffic. The taxi driver was disobeying traffic signs by overtaking on barrel lines, putting the lives of his passengers and other road users in danger,” he said.

The driver allegedly drove towards the oncoming traffic lane at times, while trying to avoid the slow moving traffic on his side. “The officer could not make an immediate arrest but managed to take the registration number of the minibus. The defaulting minibus was circulated and it was traced in the Durban Central Business District where the driver was arrested,” he explained.

The minibus was checked and it was found to be unroadworthy. The vehicle had defective brakes, seat belts and was leaking oil. The minibus then suspended from the road. The driver had an outstanding amount of more than R10 100 in fines which he did not pay.

“The owner of the taxi was also traced and arrested regarding the unroadworthiness of his taxi. Upon further investigation it appeared that he had a number of warrants of arrest against him for traffic violations and more than R10 200 fines which he did not pay,” added Zwane.