Update Video
GEORGE NUUS EN VIDEO - Provincial traffic's operation Thatha Zonke gave true meaning to the word 'take it all' when they held roadblocks in and around George this week.
The provincial traffic authority, together with members of their provincial Ghost Squad and the assistance of the police, is currently conducting roadblocks across the Southern Cape. Operation Thata Zonke kicked off on Monday 21 May at 05:00 in Nelson Mandela Boulevard, Parkdene. Various vehicles were stopped, checked and some impounded. Fines were also issued for various traffic related offences.
According to information the George Herald received the operations are aimed at restoring law and order on the roads by checking for unroadworthy vehicles, taxi offences, unlicensed vehicles, drunk drivers and any other traffic related offence. It is understood that on Monday more than 12 vehicles were impounded and on Tuesday another 10.
Provincial Ghost Squad here
The provincial Ghost Squad in their high-powered, unmarked cars are, it seems, succeeding in their core objective: To be almost omnipresent.
Residents have been wondering about the unmarked vehicles with the blue lights that were seen chasing down York Street in early morning peak traffic on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Various vehicles were stopped, checked and some impounded.
It is believed that the help of the Ghost Squad was called in as traffic officers have been threatened and assaulted while performing their duties. Incidents of motorists allegedly hitting officers with their vehicles and threats have been reported. The team will also focus on all moving traffic violations.
Since late last year there have been several incidents where the help of the police had to be called in to assist traffic officers where taxi drivers and motorists resisted and prevented them from executing their duty.
Ghost Squad vehicles chasing down the old airport road yesterday morning (Wednesday 23 May) related to an incident near the George Airport where taxi drivers, who did not have the necessary documentation, were pulled over. When stopped the taxi drivers allegedly drove off in the direction of Geelhoutboom where the drivers ran into the veld with the officers hot on their heels.
Taxis are stopped for inspection.
"At one stage the officers genuinely feared for their lives and the Ghost Squad was notified," a source told the George Herald. Arrests were made but it is unclear as to how many people were arrested.
Watch a video below:
In another incident a few weeks back provincial traffic officers from Mossel Bay were stopped by unknown men along the road near the airport while escorting a taxi to the pound in York Street, George.
At the roadblock in Nelson Mandela Boulevard on Tuesday.
These men allegedly forced the officer driving the taxi out of the vehicle, freed the arrested driver and drove off with the other traffic officer's car key. This incident is still under investigation.
The George Herald requested more information about the success of the operation, but at the time of going to print no one from provincial traffic had responded.
Read a previous article: Traffic cops conduct roadblocks
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