It’s not ‘Fast and Furious’, says community
In the last few months the illegal and highly dangerous activity has escalated within the community.
COMMUNITY frustrations are once again building as there seems to be no resolution to the ever-prevalent drag racing taking place on Chris Hani (North Coast) Road. In the last few months the illegal and highly dangerous activity has escalated within the community, said DA ward candidate councillor and chairman of the Red Hill/ Avoca Civic Organisation, Bobby Maharajh.
“Recently we have received an increase of calls and complaints regarding the dragsters. The issue is that the criminal act is not only endangering the lives the racers themselves and other motorists, but is also disrupting the peace within the community. It’s not the Fast and Furious,” he said
In the beginning, said Maharajh, the racing mostly occurred over the weekends but has since last year been taking place during the week. “It usually starts after 11pm any day of the week. The screeching and revving from the illegally-modified vehicles travels far and loud during the nights,” he said.
Maharajh said when they raised the issue in 2014 with the authorities there were ‘talks of starting a dedicated unit to deal with the racing, but nothing has come of it’.
“We have received nothing but empty promises. Whenever we report the racing Metro Police responds to the scene and simply chases them away, and as soon as the authorities are gone they are back at it. This is a dangerous and criminal offence. When I speed I am fined. Why is this not happening here? We have seen deaths and accidents on this road before,” he said.
W/O Leon Audh, spokesman for the Greenwood Park SAPS, said Metro Police were mandated to respond to traffic-related incidents and SAPS were only called in to support Metro officials.
“They fine the suspects and bring them to the station for bookings and have impounded vehicles. It is a difficult crime to curb as in many cases the suspects move on before authorities arrive at the scene,” he said.
Several attempts were made to contact Sup Sbonelo Mchunu, spokesman for the Metro Police, but none were successful.
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