The Star reports that the taxi driver arrested for allegedly knocking down a Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) traffic officer and assaulting her now faces a more serious charge.  

Khulani Dludlu appeared briefly in the Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday and faces a charge of attempted murder.  The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had initially charged him with assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm following the brutal attack in Houghton, Joburg, on Friday.  “We decided to change the charges after we received more information on the case and following further investigations,” said a NPA spokesperson.  Officer Nompumelelo Salley was on duty with her colleagues when she stopped a minibus and Dludlu allegedly started swearing at her.  “When the officer turned her back to direct traffic, the taxi driver accelerated and smashed into the officer,” said JMPD Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar at the time.  Dludlu was arrested, but not before he and other taxi drivers intimidated traffic officers at the scene.  He is currently out on R1,000 bail and is expected to appear in court again next month.

• Read this report by Sibongile Mashaba in full at The Star
• Read too, JMPD warns it won't tolerate attacks on personnel, at EWN

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page