Metro Police Chief Yolande Faro arrested a brazen 17-year-old unlicensed driver of an unroadworthy taxi this morning shortly after the youth committed a traffic law violation right in front of her vehicle. To top it all, this incident took place less than a kilometer from the Metro Police headquarters in South End.
Chief Faro said she was first surprised at the callousness of the driver of the Toyota Siyaya taxi when he disregarded a directional arrow and the clearly visible road markings while he could see that she was in full uniform and their vehicles were in close proximity to one another. The incident took place just after 8am.
“The surprise wore off very quickly though. I also noticed that the driver was very young and that his vehicle was in a rundown condition and pulled him over at the corner of Walmer Boulevard (between Humewood and Mitchell Street).
“It was immediately noticeable that the taxi does not have any front number plate, door handles or interior panels. It is essentially a coffin on wheels.
“The driver could not produce a drivers license, a professional driving permit (PrDP) or any other form of identification. I arrested him and took him to the Humewood Police Station.
“Besides the fact that the doors of the vehicle could not properly open or close, it has a defective steering mechanism, the parking brake didn’t work and the engine leaked oil as well,” she said.
The driver was charged for disregarding roads markings and for driving without a drivers license and a PrDP.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security, Cllr John Best, applauded Faro for her exemplary leadership.
“I am very pleased with the excellent work of the Metro Police Chief and her eagerness to lead from the front. If we continue in this vein, law enforcement on our roads will undoubtedly reach the levels it ought to be,” Cllr Best said.
Special Operations in Uitenhage Road
The Metro Police issued fines during a special operation in Uitenhage Road (between St Leonard and Mati Roads) totaling R20 700 during an operation intended to deal with vehicles driving on the shoulder of the roadway.
MMC John Best said the operation took place between 06:45 and 08:30 this morning.
“Six drivers were fined for driving on the shoulder of the road, three (3) for overloaded taxis, two for illegal overtaking in the face of oncoming traffic and another three for using cell phones while driving amongst others,” MMC Best said.
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