Deadly street racing allegations prompt DA to seek Lesufi’s urgent intervention
“This is not just reckless behaviour, it’s criminal,” said Michael Sun, the DA's Gauteng Community Safety Spokesperson, who is taking a firm stand against alleged illegal street racing in Joburg suburbs.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) alleges that it has noted a disturbing rise in illegal street racing across affluent Johannesburg suburbs like Fourways, Rosebank, and Midrand, which has left residents concerned. The party is now calling on Premier Panyaza Lesufi to take urgent and decisive action before more lives are lost.
Michael Sun, DA Gauteng spokesperson for community safety, said what began as isolated complaints has now escalated into a public safety crisis, with innocent lives claimed by dangerous and illegal high-speed races that often unfold in the early morning hours.
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He said these events turn otherwise quiet streets into de facto racetracks, terrifying communities and evading the grasp of law enforcement. Sun said that on July 12, tragedy struck at approximately 05:30am on Jan Smuts Avenue in Rosebank.
He said, according to reports, three vehicles were allegedly racing on the wrong side of the road when they crashed.
One of the racers was killed instantly. An innocent Uber driver was also killed in a head-on collision. The remaining drivers reportedly fled the scene, leaving a trail of devastation behind them.
“This is not just reckless behaviour, it’s criminal. These streets are not playgrounds for thrill-seekers,” said Sun. “The residents of Johannesburg deserve better. Innocent lives are being put at risk, and we need urgent intervention from the Premier.”
Just a day after the Rosebank crash, Sun said another alarming episode was witnessed on Allandale Road in Midrand.
Sun said Ward 132 councillor Annette Deppe observed a convoy of six or seven high-powered cars tearing down the road as if it were a race circuit.
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“Meanwhile, Fourways residents along Cedar Road continue to live in fear, routinely jolted awake on weekend mornings by the roar of souped-up engines and racing motorbikes.
“The failure of JMPD and SAPS to apprehend these offenders is unacceptable. Reckless and negligent driving is a criminal offence under the National Road Traffic Act, and yet we see very little being done to enforce the law. We have raised this with the Chief of JMPD and the relevant SAPS station commanders. Our communities cannot become battlegrounds for ego-fuelled speed chases.”
Sun said the party plans to table questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), demanding detailed reports on the number of the alleged illegal racing incidents in the past five years, associated fatalities, and possible links to organised crime or drug use.
“We will continue to fight this deadly trend. It must be stopped before more lives are lost.”
The JMPD, SAPS, as well as the Premier’s office, have been asked to comment on these allegations and will be published as soon as they become available.
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