A minibus taxi driver was arrested for the second time in less than a week for drunk driving, a City of Cape Town official said on Wednesday.

A traffic officer spotted the taxi being driven recklessly on Govan Mbeki Drive on Tuesday, mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said.

“The traffic officer immediately gave chase and managed to stop the vehicle about a kilometre further down the road. When she confronted the driver, she noticed a strong smell of liquor on his breath. This, despite the fact that he was transporting 10 passengers.”

While the officer was making arrangements for the passengers to be reimbursed and for another taxi to transport them, the driver sped off.

“In Bamboesvlei Road he got out of the vehicle and fled on foot. However, back-up had already been requested and another officer apprehended and arrested the driver not far from the Hillstar Traffic Depot,” said Smith.

The man was two times over the legal alcohol limit and taken to the Philippi police station.

It later emerged he had been arrested on December 26, also for driving under the influence.

“It is unacceptable that public transport operators not only take their own lives into their hands by driving drunk, but that they subject innocent passengers to their irresponsible actions.”

In another incident in the Philippi area traffic officers arrested three suspected cable thieves. They were alerted by residents about a car with no number plates in the area.

“They [traffic officers] called the Metals Theft Unit, commonly known as the Copperheads, for support after they noticed what looked like copper cable inside the vehicle,” said Smith.

“The Copperheads investigated and found approximately 50 metres of overhead railway copper cable with a replacement value of roughly R100,000.”

The three suspects, aged between 24 and 33, were detained at the Philippi police station on charges of theft and possession of stolen property. They were expected to appear in court in the new year. SAPA