Man arrested for allegedly slashing tyres of Cape Town traffic vehicle

A man was tracked down and arrested on Tuesday, January 6, for malicious damage to property - exactly two weeks after allegedly slashing the tyres of a City of Cape Town traffic vehicle on duty in the city centre. 

According to Cape Town Traffic Service spokesperson Kevin Jacobs, the man was arrested in connection with an incident that took place on Tuesday, December 23, at the intersection of Lower Plein and Strand streets during a taxi enforcement operation. 

"A traffic officer parked his patrol vehicle at the intersection, and upon his return, discovered that the tyres had been slashed, rendering the vehicle immobile."

Mr Jacobs said that through the coordinated efforts of the safety and security information management operations team, traffic services, and law enforcement departments, a suspect was identified, and on Tuesday, January 6, the suspect was pulled over on Strand Street and taken into custody at Cape Town Central police on a charge of malicious damage to property.

Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala stated that the man appeared in the Cape Town Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, January 7, and the investigation is ongoing. 

No further information was provided. 

Mr Jacobs said the City was able to procure and replace the tyres quickly, as the vehicle was operational, and it was repaired and returned to service immediately.