A Khayelitsha taxi driver was nabbed on the N1 on Monday after being pulled over by Bonteheuwel Ward councillor Angus Mckenzie.
McKenzie says shortly before 8am, he was travelling along the busy highway when he saw the speeding taxi packed with primary school children pass by him in the yellow lane and decided to chase after him.
“He was driving recklessly in the yellow lane and I saw him fly pass me with children in the taxi and I was worried,” the councillor says.
“So I chased after him and eventually got him to stop before the Sable Road turn-off. I walked up to him and took the keys out of his taxi.
“I spoke to the children to make sure they were okay and so they understood what was going on and called the Taxi Unit which was quickly deployed.
“Officer Kevin Baker assisted in ensuring the arrest of the driver.”
Taxi driver is arrested for overloading. Picture supplied
McKenzie says the driver did not have a licence as it was suspended and was transporting children to Windermere Primary School in Kensington.
“The traffic officers brought in other officers who drove the taxi to school.”
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says the 22-year-old driver was transporting 22 children aged between six and 13.
“The taxi had seating capacity for 16. The driver had no licence and had four outstanding warrants to the value of R11 400.”