Cape Town traffic officers hurt as Paarden Eiland street race crowd turns on them

Two City of Cape Town Traffic Services officers were injured and three traffic vehicles were damaged when an illegal street race in Paarden Eiland turned violent in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Officers arrested two motorists shortly after 11pm on Friday for reckless and negligent driving and for taking part in an illegal street race, according to Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith.

The racing resumed around midnight and a third driver was arrested. That motorist faces charges of illegal street racing, driving under the influence of alcohol, failing to stop and malicious damage to property after allegedly colliding with a traffic vehicle.

The situation escalated when officers tried to impound the vehicle. Smith said the crowd of spectators became hostile and damaged two more traffic vehicles, one of which had its side and rear windows smashed. Two officers were injured during the incident.

Maitland SAPS members arrived to assist the traffic officers. Police and traffic officers then pursued the vehicle they had attempted to impound after it had been towed away from the scene. The driver of the towed vehicle was arrested and faces charges of riotous behaviour, intimidation, threatening a peace officer, hindering and obstructing a peace officer, and inciting violence.

All four suspects were detained at Maitland SAPS. The three vehicles allegedly used in the races were impounded under the City’s Traffic By-law. Marine Drive was cleared at about 1.45am.

What the law says

Street racing on a public road is unlawful, and so is obstructing or threatening an officer carrying out an impoundment. Assault on an officer, malicious damage to property and inciting violence are criminal offences. The authority to enforce road traffic law belongs to the state and its appointed officers, not to a crowd.

The City’s response

Smith condemned the violence and described the incident as another example of lawlessness on the city’s roads.

“There can be no justification for breaking the law and then attacking the very people who are employed to serve and protect by enforcing those laws,” he said.

He thanked Maitland SAPS for assisting traffic officers during the incident.

“Safety and security is made possible when the law enforcement fraternity work together and stand together,” he said.

The City said it would work with SAPS to identify and track down anyone involved in the attack on its enforcement staff. A reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of those involved.

Members of the public with information can provide anonymous tips 24 hours a day on 0800 110 077.

What it means on the ground

Illegal street racing is not a victimless night out. It closes roads, puts pedestrians and other drivers at risk, and pulls traffic and police resources away from the rest of the metro. When a crowd turns on the officers sent to shut a race down, the cost lands on the same public that pays for the service, in damaged vehicles that have to be repaired or replaced and in officers who cannot work while they recover.

The arrests and the impoundments show the enforcement chain held on the night. The reward offer is the next step, and anyone with information can call the City’s anonymous tip line on 0800 110 077.

Source: IOL, Two Cape Town metro officers injured after illegal street racing turns violent