The search is still on for a taxi driver who was forcibly “released” from the Hout Bay Police Station last week.
On Monday 23 January, a joint operation between all the City of Cape Town’s enforcement agencies as well as Hout Bay police and POPS (Public Order Policing) was held in Hout Bay between 08:00 and 09:00.
According to JP Smith, Mayco member for safety and security, the extensive public transport enforcement operation was held in response to the previous arson attack on a MyCiTi bus in the area.
During the operation, arrests were made, with 40 impounds and 881 fines issued.
The taxi driver in question had been arrested on charges of obstructing an officer in the execution of his/her duties and resisting arrest. Additional arrests were made for warrants of arrest.
In a statement released shortly after the operation, Smith said that, with several taxis and amaphelas impounded, a group of amaphela owners had gathered at the police station.
“Using the advantage that most of the police resources were out in the area, they forced the release of the arrested taxi driver,” he said.
Smith added that Metro Police and the City’s Taxi Enforcement Unit quickly arrived and secured the area around the police station.
“The tracing operations have commenced and additional charges of escaping from lawful custody will be brought against the offender,” he said.
Maxine Bezuidenhout, spokesperson for Traffic Service, told People’s Post that the escape of the suspect had been captured on camera.
“The City is assisting the police with their investigation which is still underway.”
