The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) have arrested three ‘unruly and illegal Zimbabweans’ following a high-speed chase on the Ben Schoeman Highway near Centurion.
According to the TMPD, the incident, which was caught on camera, came after they spotted the bus coming from the Fountains area going in the direction of Centurion.
The bus was carrying too many passengers, and some were crowded behind the front windscreen next to the driver. The bus refused to stop despite being signalled to do so by the officer, and a high-speed chase ensued.
In the video, some passengers could be heard encouraging the bus driver not to stop and yelling at the officer who was trying to stop the bus.
“The TMPD members called for backup from other units whilst they were in pursuit. One truck driver who saw what was happening tried to block the bus and the bus stopped.
Zimbabwean nationals from the bus came out of the bus assaulting the driver of the truck.
The driver of the bus then drove straight to the TMPD vehicle and bumped into it,” said TMPD spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba.
Mahamba said the driver then produced a Zimbabwean driving licence and passport, a cross-border permit which was found to be fake in terms of the National Land Transport Act.
He said the other occupants on the bus ran in different directions.
“With the assistance of backup members, the driver and two Zimbabwean nationals were arrested for assault, recklessness and negligence driving, illegal immigration, damage to property and obstruction of justice. The bus was impounded,” added Mahamba.
The three suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
