Update:

A taxi driver who was arrested in October this year after he was filmed driving into oncoming traffic has paid a R6 000 fine for his transgressions.

During a monthly crime statistics presentation hosted by the City of Johannesburg and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, it was revealed that the driver had been found guilty of reckless and negligent driving.

The chief of the metro police, David Tembe said that the man had been detained at the Sandton Police Station after the video showing him driving into oncoming traffic went viral. He appeared in court on 22 November and was found guilty. He was ordered to pay the fine or spend three months in prison and opted to pay the fine. He was warned not to commit a similar offence within the next three years.

11 October:

A taxi driver who was stopped by a member of the public on a motorcycle for driving on the wrong side of the road earlier in October, was arrested by a special unit of the Johannesburg Metro police.

A media statement from Metro police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar read, “The Chief of Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, David Tembe was very angry when he saw the footage on social media and instructed the special unit in his office that deals with hardcore cases to trace the taxi driver .”

Minnaar said the taxi driver was arrested in terms of Operation Buya Mthetha at Ivory Park Taxi Rank.

“The taxi driver drove on the wrong side of Sloane Street, Bryanston and refused to reverse but later did co-operate. He was arrested at Ivory Park taxi rank and detained at Sandton Police Station on charges of reckless and negligent driving.”

Earlier

A biker driving on Sloane Street in Bryanston fought back against a taxi driver driving into oncoming traffic.

A video, uploaded to YouTube, shows the biker stopping in front of the taxi driver, preventing him from driving into oncoming traffic. The driver protests for a few minutes, while other drivers who pass by shout at the taxi driver. The taxi driver eventually relents and reverses and joins the correct lane.

A driver who also stopped to insist the taxi driver uses the correct lane said, “You shouldn’t be driving on the wrong side of the road, you’re putting other people’s lives in danger… it’s not fair for everyone else on the road.”

Warning: This video contains explicit language.

Share your thoughts on the video on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page

Related Articles: