A 28-year-old man was arrested yesterday (14 July) on an attempted murder charge following a road rage incident in Maitland late last month.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates Court tomorrow (16 July).
The incident took place at the intersection of Canon and Voortrekker roads on Thursday 26 June.
In a graphic video that has been widely circulated on social media two men can be seen in a scuffle. The pair were rolling around in the road, during which the taxi driver pulled a knife out and stabbed the other motorist.
Capt FC van Wyk, provincial police spokesperson, said police were investigating the matter.
He said it had come to their attention only recently and a detective was assigned to the case, on Wednesday 9 July.
“A seasoned detective was assigned to follow-up on this incident and he interviewed the victim at his residence in Wynberg, where an affidavit was obtained for investigation purposes.”
According to Van Wyk, the case had been handed over the Western Cape Serious and Violent Crimes Taxi Violence Unit for further investigation.
“According to reports, the driver of a white Toyota Quantum taxi started a fight following an argument and the complainant fought back,” Van Wyk said.
“The taxi driver toppled the other man, then took a knife out and stabbed the complainant eight times. The taxi driver is an unidentified male, short in height and of chubby build.”
The victim’s sister urged Facebook users to come forward with information.
“The incident began after the taxi driver repeatedly drove recklessly, cutting my brother off and using his mobile phone while driving.
“Unfortunately, this road-rage incident escalated and ended with my brother stabbed multiple times by the taxi driver and possibly the guardjie [who beckons the travellers and collects the fares]. The driver then fled in the direction of Bellville.”
She said her brother managed to drive to N1 City Mall to fetch his daughter from college, where he collapsed. She also thanked the petrol attendants at a nearby petrol station who rushed her brother to hospital.
“He underwent emergency surgery for internal bleeding caused by a lacerated spleen. By the mercy of Allah (SWT) his major organs were missed, and thanks to the thickness of his hoodie the stab wounds to his neck were not fatal.”
The stab victim’s sister added he had since been discharged from hospital and was recovering at home.
Speaking to People’s Post, Ryno Saaiers, general secretary of Santaco in the Western Cape, confirmed that the driver handed himself over to police.
Van Wyk appealed to any witnesses to contact the investigating officer, Detective Sgt Thembelani Mekuto on 082 285 1058 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or MySAPS mobile application anonymously.
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