Two Cape Town metro officers injured after illegal street racing turns violent

Two traffic officers injured, vehicles damaged during Paarden Eiland street racing.

Two City of Cape Town Traffic Services officers were injured and three Traffic vehicles damaged after an illegal street racing operation in Paarden Eiland turned violent.

According to Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith, officers arrested two motorists shortly after 11pm for reckless and negligent driving and participating in an illegal street race.

The street racing resumed around midnight, resulting in the arrest of a third driver.

The motorist faces charges including illegal street racing, driving under the influence of alcohol, failing to stop and malicious damage to property after allegedly colliding with a Traffic vehicle.

Smith said the situation escalated when officers attempted to impound the vehicle.

“The crowd of spectators became hostile and damaged two more Traffic vehicles – one vehicle had its side and rear windows smashed,” he said.

Maitland SAPS members arrived to assist the Traffic Services officers.

Police and traffic officers then pursued the vehicle they had attempted to impound after it had been towed away from the scene.

The driver of the towed vehicle was arrested and faces charges of riotous behaviour, intimidation, threatening a peace officer, hindering and obstructing a peace officer, and inciting violence.

The three vehicles allegedly used in the illegal street races were also impounded in terms of the City’s Traffic By-law.

Smith condemned the violence and described the incident as another example of lawlessness on the city's roads.

“There can be no justification for breaking the law and then attacking the very people who are employed to serve and protect by enforcing those laws,” he said.

Smith also thanked Maitland SAPS for assisting Traffic Services officers during the incident.