The speeding cameras in Mandela Street and OR Tambo Road have been the source of infinite frustration for motorists in eMalahleni;
from allegations of illegal arrests or threatened illegal arrests at roadblocks due to outstanding fines, to motorists being asked to pay a sum of money in order to be allowed to see the image that the speeding camera captured of their vehicle, to evidence produced that many of these cameras are mounted on wobbly pebbles or set up near blasting sites and allegations that the speed-readings captured by the cameras are incorrect.
Many motorists feel that nothing has been done to address their concerns pertaining to the speeding cameras, and on November 4 these frustrations came to a climax when a taxi driver decided to attempt to put an end to the speeding camera palaver himself.
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On Sunday morning, the aforementioned taxi driver wrapped one of the speeding cameras in a black plastic bag and continued to attempt to put an end to his speeding camera woes by accosting the camera itself; allegedly repeatedly kicking the container which houses the speeding camera.
The assailant was spotted assaulting the speeding camera by a member of the South African Community Crime Watch (SACCW).
Upon noticing that someone was taking photographs of his alleged criminal activity, the taxi driver sped off; allegedly acting threateningly towards the individual whom he had spotted filming him.
The taxi owner allegedly pulled a plastic bag over one of the speeding cameras.
The suspect was not successful in damaging the speeding cameras, which have been redeployed since the incident took place.
eMalahleni Local Municipality was approached for comment pertaining to whether the speeding camera-assailant had been arrested, but were unable to provide further information at the time of publication.
