Traffic police impounded 80 vehicles during a public transport blitz in Bellville, Belhar and Brackenfell last week, that coincided with the third week of a similar operation in the southern peninsula that has seen 139 vehicle impoundments, 68 arrests and more than 9000 fines issued.
One of the suspects arrested caused mayhem on 5 July when just after 8am, officers pulled over a taxi in 5th Avenue, Grassy Park.
The driver admitted to not having a driving licence. Once all of the passengers had gotten out, the driver sped off and led officers on a chase through Grassy Park and back towards Lavender Hill where he collided with three vehicles at the intersection of Prince George Drive.
The taxi eventually had a tyre burst and the driver fled on foot. Officers found him hiding at a nearby property in Lavender Hill.
He was arrested for reckless and negligent driving, resisting arrest, and fleeing the scene of an accident.
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said: “What would have been an arrest for operating without a permit escalated into a much more serious charge sheet, all because he failed to cooperate.”
On Saturday, members of the Law Enforcement Stabilisation Unit were driving along Vanguard Drive when they saw a car go through a red light into oncoming traffic, with two men in pursuit.
When they approached the car, the woman driver said the men had tried to hijack her.
The officers tried to catch the two suspects, but lost them as they disappeared into a nearby informal settlement.