Keypoints:
- No Charges Filed: Two months post-crash, SAPS has yet to charge rapper 3GAR despite available CCTV footage.
- Public Demands Transparency: Political leaders and the public are pressing SAPS and the DPP for timely action.
- Road Safety at Stake: Critics say delays reflect broader issues with enforcement of reckless driving laws in Cape Town.
CAPE TOWN — Two months have passed since a high-speed crash involving a McLaren supercar shocked Sea Point. Yet, the investigation remains unresolved, and authorities have not filed any charges. This is despite public frustration and clear video evidence.
Crash Details Spark Outrage
On March 1, the McLaren 570S crashed into a wall on High Level Road. Witnesses allege the vehicle reached speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour. Nigerian rapper Prince Daniel Obioma — known professionally as 3GAR — drove the car and later received treatment at a hospital.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) opened a case of reckless and negligent driving. However, they have not made any arrests or laid charges. Instead, officers submitted the case docket to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for further decision-making.
“We are investigating a reckless and negligent driving case,” said Capt. FC van Wyk, SAPS spokesperson. “Paramedics took the driver to the hospital for his injuries. We referred the case docket to the DPP. Nobody faces charges yet.”
Public and Political Pressure Mounts
Understandably, the delay has sparked strong criticism from politicians and residents. Many believe the police should have resolved the matter quickly due to available CCTV footage showing the speeding car.
Nicholas Gotsell, who serves on the Democratic Alliance’s Select Committee on Security and Justice, voiced his frustration.
“It has been two months since a McLaren supercar, driven recklessly by a well-known rapper, crashed into a wall,” Gotsell said. “SAPS has still not made any arrests or laid charges.”
He continued, “Despite clear footage and mounting frustration, the investigation remains stalled. The silence from SAPS is deafening.”
In fact, Gotsell wrote twice to Western Cape Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Thembisile Patekile. He asked for updates on the case but received vague replies.
“The response was non-committal. It said there’s no timeline for completing the investigation,” he added.
Moreover, Gotsell questioned why officers at Sea Point police station, which manages fewer cases than busier precincts, have made no headway.
“Sea Point police station isn’t nearly as busy as others,” he explained. “So, I find it strange that an investigation like this still has no outcome after two months.”
Rebranding Amid Investigation Raises Eyebrows
In the meantime, the 3GAR McLaren crash case has taken another turn. 3GAR appears to be rebranding himself on social media, posting content that distances him from the incident.
Gotsell finds this deeply concerning.
“The rapper keeps reinventing himself online and now brags about another car — this time an SUV,” he said. “But the fact that he survived doesn’t change the danger he posed. His fans have embraced his victim narrative, and, it seems, so has the police.”
Furthermore, Gotsell attended a hearing in an unrelated road death case — the February 1 Bree Street crash that killed a young dentist. That case also experienced repeated delays. The court has now postponed it until September 26, 2025.
“Alarmingly, the accused in that case filed a motion to ban the media from future hearings,” Gotsell revealed. “While the court must decide on the motion, the public must see justice unfold. Too many treat Cape Town roads like racetracks.”
To escalate matters, Gotsell said he would write to Ian Cameron, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police. He wants SAPS summoned to explain why such an obvious case has stalled.
“There must be consequences — not only to hold this individual accountable, but to send a strong message,” Gotsell said. “Reckless driving puts lives at risk, and no level of fame places anyone above the law.”
Calls for Swift Enforcement
Sea Point ward councillor Nicola Jowell agreed with the growing demand for action. She emphasized the broader impact of inaction.f there is no consequence or enforcement, it becomes even harder to tackle problems like speeding and noisy vehicles,” Jowell said.
With the 3GAR McLaren crash case now in the DPP’s hands, residents and road safety advocates insist that officials must not allow it to fade from public attention.
