It was like a scene out of a action film as a taxi driver and conductor tried to evade the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) in Mountview, north of Durban yesterday.
They fired several shots at the RTI officers who returned fire while chasing the suspects down busy streets. Eventually the driver and conductor abandoned the taxi and fled in separate directions in the hope of making a get away.
The taxi driver and conductor were arrested by the Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) and RTI. Spokesperson for RUSA, Prem Balram said the two suspects were arrested after a high speed chase through Dawncrest.
“The taxi driver and conductor were arrested following a high speed chase and intense low level aerial search in Dawncrest on Tuesday. A member of RUSA was on patrol on Fairview Drive in Brindhaven at approximately 9.42am when he witnessed a white Toyota Quantum opening fire and attempting to force a branded Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) vehicle off the road. The RTI officers returned fire during the chase,” said Mr Balram.
The reaction officer contacted the RUSA Operations Centre via radio requesting additional backup and to assist police in the chase, added Mr Balram. He said the mini bus taxi came to a sudden halt on Robin Street in Dawncrest and the two men exited the vehicle and fled in different directions. A 23-year-old man was apprehended on Nightingale Circle. Mr Balram said the man explained that he was the conductor in the taxi and Tuesday had been his first day of employment.
“The RUSA Robinson R44 helicopter lifted off immediately and conducted a low level flight of a bush in search of the taxi driver. Down wash from the main rotors of the aircraft exposed the suspect hiding in dense vegetation,” said Mr Balram.
“During an interview, the 24-year-old driver explained that the unroadworthy mini bus he was driving was impounded by the police. His employer reprimanded him and allegedly instructed him not to stop for authorities in future. When he was confronted by the RTI officers he fled, jumped a red robot and drove in a reckless manner when police attempted to stop him.”
Both the driver and conductor were immediately arrested by reaction and RTI officers.
