News / Regional
Taxi driver hits cop at roadblock
13 May 2016 at 06:56hrs | Views
A TAXI driver from Plumtree allegedly tried to run over a traffic cop who had stopped him at a roadblock to inspect his car.
Philip Masuku, 26, drove off in his taxi while Nobert Kakono, 31, was standing in front of it, a court heard yesterday.
He allegedly hit Kakono who briefly hung onto the vehicle's bonnet before falling off.
The cop escaped with minor injuries.
Masuku appeared on initial remand before Plumtree magistrate Livard Philemon facing attempted murder charges.
He was remanded in custody to May 23.
Prosecuting, Rose Sibanda said Kakono and other police officers were stationed at the six-kilometre peg along the Plumtree Mphoengs Road when the incident occurred on May 8.
"Masuku was driving his taxi heading towards Plumtree coming from Ngwanyana area in Mangwe. Upon reaching the roadblock, he was signalled to stop and he complied.
"Kakono proceeded to the vehicle and introduced himself and requested to see Masuku's driver's licence and route authority. He went to the front of the vehicle to inspect the validity of the vehicle's licence, insurance, passenger's insurance, radio licence and certificate of insurance," she said.
Sibanda said instead of producing the requested paper work, Masuku sped off while Kakono was standing in front the car. "The police officer fell onto the car bonnet and the driver proceeded for about 30 metres while Kakono was clinging onto the car," said Sibanda.
She said Masuku further accelerated his speed and Kakono was thrown off the bonnet and landed in the middle of the road. He sustained some injuries in the process.
Sibanda said the other police officers tried to signal Masuku to stop his vehicle without luck.
"The police officers teamed up and pursued the taxi driver who was headed for Plumtree. They found the taxi parked within the CBD but could not locate Masuku as he had ditched the car.
"The cops took down contact details of the owner of the taxi which were written on the vehicle. Upon making a follow up, the owner of the vehicle directed them to his driver resulting in Masuku's arrest," said Sibanda.
Philip Masuku, 26, drove off in his taxi while Nobert Kakono, 31, was standing in front of it, a court heard yesterday.
He allegedly hit Kakono who briefly hung onto the vehicle's bonnet before falling off.
The cop escaped with minor injuries.
Masuku appeared on initial remand before Plumtree magistrate Livard Philemon facing attempted murder charges.
He was remanded in custody to May 23.
Prosecuting, Rose Sibanda said Kakono and other police officers were stationed at the six-kilometre peg along the Plumtree Mphoengs Road when the incident occurred on May 8.
"Kakono proceeded to the vehicle and introduced himself and requested to see Masuku's driver's licence and route authority. He went to the front of the vehicle to inspect the validity of the vehicle's licence, insurance, passenger's insurance, radio licence and certificate of insurance," she said.
Sibanda said instead of producing the requested paper work, Masuku sped off while Kakono was standing in front the car. "The police officer fell onto the car bonnet and the driver proceeded for about 30 metres while Kakono was clinging onto the car," said Sibanda.
She said Masuku further accelerated his speed and Kakono was thrown off the bonnet and landed in the middle of the road. He sustained some injuries in the process.
Sibanda said the other police officers tried to signal Masuku to stop his vehicle without luck.
"The police officers teamed up and pursued the taxi driver who was headed for Plumtree. They found the taxi parked within the CBD but could not locate Masuku as he had ditched the car.
"The cops took down contact details of the owner of the taxi which were written on the vehicle. Upon making a follow up, the owner of the vehicle directed them to his driver resulting in Masuku's arrest," said Sibanda.
Source - chronickle
