Cape Town – A Cape Town taxi driver, initially believed to have died after allegedly being strangled by a traffic officer during an arrest, later confirmed he was alive and in police custody.
The incident, which occurred on the N2 near Langa, was captured in a viral video showing the driver lying motionless on the ground while bystanders screamed in distress.
However, the driver later clarified on X that he had fainted but regained consciousness.
“It is me, I am alive, I am not dead. the problem is that people are saying I am dead, but I am not, I fainted when the traffic police strangled me but after a while I regained consciousness,” said the taxi driver.
“As we speak, I’m at the police station, I’m just alerting the community that I’m alive.”
A taxi driver was stopped by traffic officers on the N2 this morning, but he refused to pull over.
Eventually, he complied, but an argument ensued, which led to the officers physically confronting the driver.
One of the officers strangled the driver until he allegedly lost… pic.twitter.com/p6wTKFflAP
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) March 4, 2025
According to reports on social media, the confrontation began after the driver initially refused to pull over when stopped by traffic officers.
An argument ensued, leading to a violent altercation where an officer allegedly strangled him.
Update
He lost consciousness due to the strangulation but survived the incident.
A taxi driver was stopped by traffic officers, and although he initially refused to pull over, he eventually complied.
An argument followed, leading to the officers physically confronting the… pic.twitter.com/kgkejdi0o6
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) March 4, 2025
According to IOL, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said that the driver’s actions endangered passengers and other motorists, and his resistance escalated the situation.
“This misinformation has now also resulted in unnecessary tensions in the CBD, seemingly involving some within the minibus industry, with an illegal gathering, the closure of roads and holding two of our law enforcement officers hostage. Their colleagues have since freed them.
“These actions are illegal and will inevitably lead to an escalation of conflict, and I call on those involved to cease and desist and allow the law to take its course,” he said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
