A video showing a minibus taxi evading law enforcement by driving with a traffic officer clinging to its bonnet has gone viral on social media, reigniting debate over road safety and the increasingly tense relationship between taxi drivers and Cape Town authorities.
The footage, reportedly sourced from a local WhatsApp group and now circulating on Facebook, captures the incident on a street in the Kenwyn-Wynberg area.
The video shows a taxi refusing to stop for what appears to be a traffic officer.
Instead of complying, the driver accelerates forward, forcing the officer to jump onto the bonnet in an attempt to stop the vehicle.
The taxi continues moving, eventually turning at a street corner, leaving the officer behind.
Public reaction and growing tensions
Social media users have reacted with a mix of shock, outrage, and disbelief.
While some labelled the act “reckless and criminal,” others commented on the tension between law enforcement and the taxi industry, with some even finding dark humour in the video.
The City of Cape Town has yet to release an official statement on the incident as at the time of publishing.
However, the video comes amid growing friction between taxi associations and municipal law enforcement, particularly over vehicle impoundments and traffic violations.
Earlier this year, protests and road blockades were sparked by what taxi organisations claimed was “targeted harassment”, while the City maintains that enforcement efforts are aimed at improving public safety for all road users.
Calls for accountability
While investigations into the specific incident are expected to follow, officials and civic groups are renewing calls for accountability and constructive dialogue between taxi operators and authorities.
“Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to ensure road safety. This type of behaviour cannot be tolerated,” said a local councillor, speaking on condition of anonymity.
As Cape Town’s transport crisis deepens, this latest confrontation underscores the need for urgent reform and improved cooperation within the public transport sector.
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