Middelburg Taxi’s Wild Overtakes Spark Outrage on Mandela Drive

Video of two dangerous overtakes within one block leaves motorists fuming

It was just after the morning rush when traffic on Mandela Drive in Middelburg turned from routine to risky in a matter of seconds. A taxi driver, apparently in too much of a hurry to respect road rules, executed not one but two illegal overtakes within the space of a single block, forcing oncoming cars to swerve to avoid a collision.

The incident, caught on video by a passing truck driver, has reignited frustration among motorists over reckless taxi behaviour on South Africa’s roads.

“It’s not always the trucks”

Truck driver Wynand Spencer had a front-row seat to the drama. “They always say it’s the trucks, but look what the taxi is doing!” he said, still visibly frustrated when speaking to the Middelburg Observer.

In his video, the taxi can be seen overtaking on a solid line a clear no-go in South African traffic law, not once, but twice, with barely enough space between each manoeuvre. Oncoming vehicles were forced to slow down or veer slightly off course to avoid a potential head-on crash.

@middelburgobserver

A taxi nearly caused an accident this morning (August 13) when it crossed a solid line to overtake a truck, only to repeat the dangerous manoeuvre about a block further in Mandela Drive, Middelburg.

♬ original sound – MiddelburgObserver

A recurring problem on SA roads

For many South African motorists, this isn’t an isolated incident. Taxi-related road safety concerns have long been a sore point in the country’s driving culture. While the minibus taxi industry remains a vital part of the public transport system, serving millions daily, complaints about lawless driving and disregard for traffic rules are frequent.

Road safety organisations often highlight that such overtaking on solid lines isn’t just illegal, it’s among the most dangerous moves a driver can make. It dramatically increases the risk of collisions, particularly on busy urban roads like Mandela Drive.

Public reaction: “It could have been another tragedy”

After the video began circulating on local social media groups, comments poured in from outraged residents. Many called for stricter enforcement and heavier penalties for reckless taxi drivers, while others expressed concern that these near-misses too often end in tragedy before authorities step in.

One local Facebook user wrote, “If the law doesn’t clamp down on this, we’re going to see more funerals because of drivers like this.”

Calls for accountability

While it’s unclear whether the driver has been identified or if authorities will take action, Spencer’s footage adds to a growing library of citizen-recorded evidence of dangerous taxi driving. Traffic officials in Mpumalanga have previously urged motorists to report such incidents and provide as much detail as possible, from number plates to vehicle descriptions to help in prosecuting offenders.

For now, the reckless driver in the video has become yet another example of the daily road risks South Africans navigate, and a reminder that it often takes more than just quick reflexes to stay safe on the country’s busiest routes.

{Source: The Citizen}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com