Cops claim back streets

TRAFFIC officers armed with automatic rifles and handguns took to the streets of Mthatha this week to restore law and order to the traffic chaos.

On Wednesday, cars parked in the road or in undesignated areas were removed from Leeds Road and impounded. The municipality used privately-owned tow trucks to haul the violators to the traffic department building in Elliot Street where owners had to pay a release fee of between R600 and R900.

Municipal spokesman Sonwabo Mampoza said poor visibility of road markings could not be used as an excuse to violate traffic rules.

Onlookers and motorists whose cars were impounded became incensed, accusing the traffic officers of ignoring cars parked in a tow-away zone in front of the Botha Sigcau building where government officials work.