A 32-year-old taxi driver has started the new year behind bars following his arrest in connection with the slashing of a traffic patrol vehicle’s tyres in the Cape Town CBD late last year.

The incident took place during a taxi enforcement operation at the intersection of Lower Plein and Strand Streets on Tuesday 23 December.

Kevin Jacobs, Cape Town traffic services spokesperson, said a traffic officer parked his patrol vehicle at the intersection and upon his return, discovered that the tyres had been slashed, rendering the vehicle immobile.

He said a search for the culprit ensued.

“Through the coordinated efforts of the Safety and Security Information Management Operations Team, Traffic Services and Law Enforcement Departments a suspect was identified.”

Jacobs said the suspect was pulled over in Strand Street and taken into custody at Cape Town Central police station on Tuesday 6 January.

He faces a charge of malicious damage to property and will appear in court soon.