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A taxi driver who allegedly knew he tested positive for Covid-19 but did not tell his passengers and kept driving will be formally charged with attempted murder.
Matakata’s office said in a statement that the 35-year-old taxi driver faced charges of attempted murder, read in conjunction with Regulation 14 (3) of the Disaster Management Law.
“[He] He was detained at a vehicle checkpoint on R61 in Beaufort West yesterday, transporting about seven passengers.
“The driver, who had apparently tested positive for the virus after testing on April 30, 2020 at the N2 Tsitsikamma road block in the Eastern Cape, was duly informed two days ago by the testing authority of the result of the proof. However, he allegedly continued the journey on Thursday (May 7, 2020) and was stopped on the R61 road near Beaufort West en route to the Eastern Cape, “said SAPS spokesman Brigadier Novela Potelwa.
The driver, seven passengers, and three other people in an accompanying vehicle were transported by police and transit officials back to Cape Town, where they are at a quarantine site.
Potelwa said police officers and traffic officials who escorted the driver and passengers back to Cape Town would be screened and monitored “according to Covid-19 protocols, as a precautionary measure.”
“Police will ensure that the driver is charged and appears in court after consulting with health department officials.”
Western Cape Health Department spokesman Mark van der Heever told News24 that the passengers had chosen to quarantine their respective homes.
They will be closely monitored, regularly, by health officials for the next 14 days.
Potelwa added: “All citizens are called to respect the rule of law. Police officers will track down those who break the law and make sure they bring them to the book. “
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