A Durban police officer had a close shave after he was allegedly attacked by a group of angry taxi drivers after blocking them from using the emergency lane in heavy traffic on Wednesday.
A car on fire had caused gridlock on the N2 near Queen Nandi Drive with the police officer using a marked police car to stop a minibus taxi that had been using the lane illegally and blocking emergency vehicles.
It is understood the driver was stopped and instructed to follow the officer to the police station so he could be charged.
The officer then tried stopping a different taxi that had raced towards the accident scene in the emergency lane.
The driver is alleged to have refused to stop and tried running down the officer at which time the lone policeman fired shots at the taxi’s tyres in an effort to disable it.
When the minibus eventually stopped and the officer was in the course of arresting the driver, he was surrounded by a group of taxi operators including the driver he had been on his way to charge.
A police source close to the investigation, who could not be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media, said the group began beating the officer.
The source said the officer had drawn his weapon in self-defence and fired two shots, causing his attackers to disperse.
The taxi driver who had allegedly tried to run him down was successfully detained.
Police spokesperson Colonel Jay Naicker said the 31-year-old suspect had been arrested for attempted murder and reckless and negligent driving.
“He is expected to appear in court soon,” he said.
Source: News24
South Africa Today – South Africa News
