GOOD Statement by Jonathan Cupido,
GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor & Caucus Whip
04 March 2025
From 8:00 social media was abuzz with allegations of a traffic officer strangling a taxi driver to death. Videos, photos and comments called for drastic action resulting in tension in the CBD. Hundreds of protestors gathered at Station Deck blocking roads.
It was hours before the City responded with an official statement. According to the City of Cape Town Mayoral committee member, JP Smith (posted via facebook at 15:00), a taxi driver fled after being pulled over for driving recklessly. The driver has a previous outstanding warrant. The Officers used “force to subdue him, in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act, which stipulates that an arresting officer may use sufficient force as is necessary to arrest an offender.”
The GOOD party calls on the city to conduct an investigation to confirm if all procedure was followed. GOOD acknowledges the daily challenges and stress faced by law enforcement officers. We call on the City to provide the necessary training and support to ensure incidents of this nature do not escalate.
This incident also brings to light the impact of long-term staff shortages in the safety directorate. In terms of the Vacancy Status as at 31 January 2025: Directorate Safety and Security Report, which is to serve before the portfolio, the City currently has a total of 703 vacancies in safety and security, from 649 in July 2024. While the report does not give a full breakdown or detail how many are in the traffic department, the amount of vacancies are alarming and need to be urgently addressed.
The report also indicates that staff are missing baseline fitness training for the Traffic Services due to night shift.
As the GOOD Party we call on the City of Cape Town to urgently address the issue of staff shortages and attendance of fitness and refresher courses. We further call on the taxi associations to work with the Traffic Services and ensure that those driving are complying with the agreement set out by the City of Cape Town, the Western Cape Government and SANTACO. When incidents of this nature occur, leaders need to execute clear communication to avoid the spread of misinformation.
Media enquiries: media@forgood.org.za