Shots fired at taxi

Update Video

GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Police have opened a case of attempted murder following a shooting incident involving a provincial traffic officer.

The incident took place last Wednesday morning, 4 March, at about 09:45 in Nelson Mandela Boulevard.

Southern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Malcolm Pojie, confirmed the incident and said Conville detectives are investigating a case of attempted murder and a case of discharging a firearm in public following the alleged incident.

"Preliminary investigation reveals that a traffic official was busy with a taxi operator when an altercation ensued. All circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation and no arrests have been made yet. The investigation continues," Pojie said.

During Tuesday's protest the organiser, Xola Swapi, spoke about the shooting incident and said there are two traffic officers, whom he mention by name, that are victimising taxi drivers.

"We want them [the two officers] to stop shooting at our taxis and putting the community in danger," Swapi said. "No one is above the law. We as taxi owners and members of the community have rights too. The police in Courtney [George Police Station] like to entertain these officers, but it did not happen in Conville."

Swapi said they want a list from the George Police on all the cases they had opened against the said officers to see if any action has been taken against them.

"We want action taken against them. Our next march, it will go to Courtney. We want to see if they took action. But we will take them to court," Swapi said during his speech.

A reliable source who spoke to George Herald on condition of anonymity, however, say that the two officers in question are only protecting themselves when carrying out their duties.

"There have been countless incidents of intimidation, threats and even rumours of planned hits on the two officers' lives. Why? Because they are doing their jobs. There is no intimidation or abuse of power by them.

"They are just doing their jobs as traffic officers properly, as they should without fear or favour," said the source.

Watch a video unrelated to the above incident, showing a taxi driver being apprehended after he sped off when he was pulled over. The driver was cornered at a garage in Nelson Mandela Boulevard and could only be cuffed after a scuffle. This incident took place last Wednesday, 4 March.

Watch the video below.