JOHANNESBURG – A taxi driver has been arrested following a serious incident at the African Bank Soweto Marathon on Saturday, during which a female runner participating in the annual race was struck.
The incident, confirmed by both the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and event organisers, occurred near the intersection of Soweto Highway and Main Road/Mooki Street in Orlando East and Noordgesig, an area where JMPD officers were deployed to manage traffic for the marathon.
JMPD officers who were directing traffic were alerted to the accident, where the 39-year-old driver of the taxi forced his way onto the route and collided with the runner. The driver was suspected to have been under the under the influence of alcohol.
The seriously injured runner, believed to be somewhere in her late 30’s or mid 40’s, were immediately transported to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital for urgent medical attention where she remains in a critical condition, according to a post on the marathon’s official event page.
According to the JMPD, it is alleged that the driver attempted to flee the scene but was swiftly apprehended before he could escape.
“Upon apprehension, the driver was immediately suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and was subjected to a breathalyser test. The test confirmed the suspicion, yielding a reading of 0.26 mg/l. This reading is significantly over the legal limit of 0.10 mg/l prescribed for professional drivers in South Africa,” JMPD relayed.
The driver has been formally arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless and negligent driving, and has been detained at the Orlando police station. A case docket has been officially opened for further investigation and prosecution. He is expected to appear in court soon.
“The JMPD views this violation of traffic laws and the disregard for the safety of road users, especially during a major public event, in the most serious light. We wish the injured runner a speedy and full recovery,” the statement concluded.
They’ve appealed to all motorists to adhere strictly to traffic regulations and to exercise extreme caution and sobriety, particularly in areas hosting public events.
Ongoing battle over hosting rights
The marathon has been the subject of some controversy this year as the ongoing battle between the Central Gauteng Athletics and the Soweto Marathon Trust (SMT) over hosting rights ended in court this week, with the former seeking an interdict against SMT to prevent disruption at the race event. This comes after SMT threatened to stage a protest at the race on Saturday.
In a statement by the JMPD on Friday, it was however confirmed that the marathon will go ahead as scheduled without any disruption.
“Despite recent unfounded speculation regarding the marathon’s status, we
clearly state: there will be no disruption, no cancellation, and no threat to this iconic event. All
operational plans, city logistics, safety deployments, and service-delivery preparations are
confirmed and running on schedule. The Soweto Marathon is not just a sporting event; it is a
historic and cultural touchstone for Johannesburg and South Africa. It embodies resilience, unity,
and the unbreakable spirit of Soweto”, the City of Johannesburg’s Executive Mayor Councillor Dada Morero relayed in the statement.
He added that as the host city, they are “fully committed to ensuring that athletes from around the globe will have a safe, seamless, and unforgettable experience.”
Race results
Lesotho’s Khoarahlane Seutloali was first male to cross the finish line among the male following by Ntsindiso Mphakathi and Onalenna Khokhobe, both from South Africa.
In the women’s division, Kenian Margaret Jepchumba reigned victorious. Elizabeth Mukoloma (Zambia) and SA’s golden girl Gerda Steyn secured second and third place respectively.
