Beaten with a crowbar
Taxi driver attacks two men, leaving one hospitalised.

A taxi driver assaulted Randburg resident Richard van Moerkerken with a crow bar on 28 October.
This, after Van Moerkerken attempted to drive around the taxi which had stopped on the corner of Witkoppen Road and King Fischer Drive in Fourways.
“The taxi driver purposely blocked my lane and nearly caused an accident. I managed to manoeuvre around the taxi, but as I drove past the driver hit the side of my vehicle with a crowbar. I stopped and wanted to confront the taxi driver, who had now climbed out of the taxi and was holding the crowbar. Before I could say anything he hit me with the crowbar,” explained Van Moerkerken.
A witness, Nick Spencer, who stopped to help Van Moerkerken was also attacked by the taxi driver. Spencer sustained serious injuries to his face and will need plastic surgery to repair the damage caused by the driver. Fortunately Van Moerkerken only sustained minor injuries.
“The Douglasdale police who came to the scene were of no help. The taxi driver was not arrested at the time due to a lack of evidence as Spencer had already been rushed to hospital,” Van Moerkerken said. “Taxi drivers are arrogant and have no regard for other road users. The Metro police and the police need to force the law to avoid innocent people, who obey the road rules, from becoming victims.”
Douglasdale Police Station spokesperson Balan Muthan said the case was reported and the taxi driver was later arrested. The matter is now being handled in court. Van Moerkerken stated he was aware the taxi driver had been arrested, but has not heard of the case being taken to court. Neither Van Moerkerken nor Spencer have been informed of court dates.
In response to the incident, Faraday Taxi Association (FTA) public relations officer Rackson Mubzanani stated, “This was not reported to the taxi association, but I promise to investigate the matter. I urge people to report such incidents to the police and to us. If they do not report the problem then we cannot help them. The report needs to have a time, date, place, as well as the vehicle registration so we can track down the driver.”
Despite his brutal attack Spencer said he would still assist a person in a similar situation. “There needs to be new laws that protect other road users,” he insisted.