Taxi ‘runs dry’ after wild police chase

A RACING, reckless taxi “gaartjie” trying to escape the law caused havoc on the streets and freeways of Port Elizabeth yesterday as he evaded no fewer than 15 police vehicles, roadblocks and a helicopter in a perilous high-speed chase across the city.

The suspect was finally arrested only after a police officer managed to shoot the petrol tank of the minibus during the wild pursuit from Walmer to Motherwell.

He jumped red traffic lights and reached speeds of up to 160km/h, almost causing serious accidents.

At one stage, the speeding taxi crashed through a police car barricade and the gaartjie – or taxi conductor – along with the taxi’s original driver, who was allegedly driving recklessly earlier, are now facing attempted murder charges for endangering lives.

The brazen attempt by the gaartjie to dodge police led to 15 police vehicles and the helicopter joining in hot pursuit while several roadblocks were set up across the city.

The drama started in 9th Avenue, Walmer, and came to an end near the General Motors building on the R335 Addo Road in Motherwell shortly after 9am.

According to police, the chase started after the minibus was spotted driving into oncoming traffic in 14th Avenue, Walmer.

Officials on the scene, who cannot be named because they are not authorised to talk to the media, said the driver had originally refused to stop before pulling over in 9th Avenue.

“He was driving recklessly and endangering all the other road users,” an officer said.

“Eventually, the driver pulled over in 9th Avenue. The driver got out the minibus and officials demanded to see his driver’s licence.