Reckless taxi driver moers three cops!

THE City of Cape Town has condemned attacks on its officers while doing their work.

This comes as three officers were attacked by a scholar transport driver on Monday, 12 August.

On Tuesday, 13 August, another officer was hit by a vehicle in Athlone during a checkpoint operation.

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Jean-Pierre "JP" Smith said the officers from Ghost Squad saw a taxi overtaking other cars from the shoulder of the road near Borchards Quarry in Nyanga.

"They switched on their blue lights, instructed the driver to stop, but he sped off. A high-speed chase ensued. Officers managed to box the driver on Duinefontein Road, about 3km from where the chase started," Smith said.

"While attempting to handcuff the driver, he resisted and instead assaulted the officer by stabbing them in the head, using his car keys. He grabbed the second officer's pepper spray and attacked other officers using the canister while punching and kicking them."

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According to Smith, the driver jumped back into his vehicle and pushed out three school kids who were onboard before speeding off.

"Officers called for backup and continued with the chase. He was again cornered, he abandoned the taxi, jumped over the N2 median wall and ran in the Bonteheuwel direction. The three officers, who were assaulted, were taken by ambulance to N1 City Hospital. Such incidents cannot, and will not, be tolerated," he said.

In a separate incident, on Tuesday morning, an officer was hit by a passing vehicle at a checkpoint on the Klipfontein Service Road in Athlone. The officer was rushed to hospital for medical treatment.

Smith added that strict laws will be implemented to deal with reckless drivers.

"This compels us to respond to these incidents by sharpening up enforcement actions to curtail recklessness and disrespect for the law with additional operations," he added.