Latest news with #3GAR
IOL News
05-08-2025
- IOL News
Prince Daniel Obioma, aka 3GAR, charged with negligent driving after McLaren crash in Sea Point
The driver of the McLaren that had a high-speed accident in Sea Point will be prosecuted. Image: Supplied Nigerian rapper Prince Daniel Obioma, known by his stage name 3GAR, is facing prosecution for reckless or negligent driving, as confirmed by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). This follows a serious crash involving his McLaren 570S in Sea Point earlier this year. The incident occurred on March 1 on High Level Road, where the high-performance vehicle allegedly reached speeds of up to 200 km/h before crashing into a wall. Obioma was hospitalised after the incident. Despite CCTV footage capturing the vehicle travelling at high speed and a public outcry, no arrest has yet been made, and charges have not been formally laid. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Police spokesperson, Wesley Twigg, said: 'Kindly be advised that the case docket is still at the office of the Senior State Prosecutor and this office is awaiting the outcome of the decision.' However, regional NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed: 'We have decided to prosecute. He will be summoned, but he has not yet been served with a J175. There is no court date at this stage.' The delay in taking action has drawn criticism from political figures, including DA MP Nicholas Gotsell, who serves on the Select Committee for Security and Justice. 'The wheels of justice are turning, whether you are an ordinary motorist or a so-called celebrity. Nobody is above the law,' said Gotsell. 'After months of pressure on SAPS to stop stalling and shift out of neutral to finalise the investigation, the NPA has now confirmed that the driver will face charges of reckless or negligent driving. Reckless drivers have no place tearing through our neighbourhoods and endangering lives, no matter where you live or what you drive.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
The South African
05-08-2025
- The South African
Nigerian rapper 3GAR to finally face the might of the law
Months after a devastating high-speed crash on High Level Road in Sea Point, Nigerian rapper Prince Daniel Obioma – popularly known as 3GAR – is finally set to face criminal charges for reckless or negligent driving, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed. The 29-year-old artist made headlines in March when his R3 million McLaren supercar slammed into a pavement and wall at over 200km/h, in a crash that shocked the Atlantic Seaboard and ignited concerns about reckless driving in Cape Town's suburbs. Dramatic footage of the wreck circulated widely on social media, amassing millions of views and drawing criticism from residents, public officials, and traffic safety advocates. Nicholas Gostell, Democratic Alliance member of the National Council of Provinces, welcomed the NPA's decision following what he described as months of inexcusable delays. 'Reckless drivers have no place tearing through our neighbourhoods and endangering lives – no matter where you live or what you drive,' said Gostell. He has been outspoken about the case, repeatedly calling for prosecution amid growing complaints about high-speed luxury vehicles terrorising Sea Point and Camps Bay streets, particularly during weekends and the early morning hours. The case against 3GAR is the latest in a series of high-profile speed-related incidents. Earlier this year, a speeding Ferrari claimed the life of 32-year-old KwaZulu-Natal dentist Ncumisa Mdlokolo on Buitengracht Street. That tragedy intensified public scrutiny of traffic law enforcement in the city's nightlife corridors. Gostell noted that while the City of Cape Town has taken steps – including pilot speed cameras and variable speed signage – the national Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has declined requests for permanent speed cameras on High Level Road, citing legal limitations. 'Despite video evidence showing the McLaren moving at an extremely high speed, the driver continues to claim he swerved to avoid a homeless person, and that the videos were edited,' Gostell said. 3GAR's legal team has yet to comment publicly. However, the rapper previously defended himself on social media, suggesting the accident was unavoidable and that social media narratives were 'incomplete.' Still, police have confirmed an active investigation and pending court appearance. Charges of reckless or negligent driving are likely to carry significant penalties if he is convicted. Gostell reaffirmed the DA's commitment to oversight and accountability in traffic enforcement, warning that 'lawlessness and disregard for safety will not be tolerated.' The City of Cape Town continues to appeal for community cooperation and adherence to traffic laws, especially in high-traffic tourist areas. 'We cannot allow streets designed for families, pedestrians, and daily commuters to become racetracks,' said Gostell. 'Every life on the road matters.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
10-05-2025
- IOL News
No charges filed in high-speed McLaren crash despite public outcry
Viral video of McLaren crash sparks calls for road safety. Image: X Two months after a high-speed crash involving a McLaren supercar in Sea Point, police have yet to charge anyone, despite video footage and widespread public outcry. The March 1 incident, which occurred on High Level Road, saw the McLaren 570S slam into a wall after allegedly reaching speeds of up to 200km/h. The driver, identified as Nigerian rapper Prince Daniel Obioma — known by his stage name 3GAR — was hospitalised following the crash. While a case of reckless and negligent driving is under investigation, Western Cape police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed. The docket has been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a decision. 'A reckless and negligent driving case is being investigated, as in this case where the driver was taken to hospital by ambulance for medical treatment due to his injuries at the time,' said police spokesperson FC van Wyk. 'The case docket was referred to the DPP for decision. Nobody has been charged yet.' The delay has drawn strong criticism from both political figures and members of the public, who argue that the matter should have been swiftly dealt with, given the availability of CCTV footage showing the vehicle travelling at high speed prior to the crash. Nicholas Gotsell of the DA's Select Committee for Security and Justice said the lack of progress reflects poorly on police. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ He said he had written twice to Western Cape police commissioner Thembisile Patekile requesting clarity on the case's progress. 'The response was non-committal and basically says that he cannot offer a timeline on when it will be completed.' He questioned why an incident supported by visual evidence could remain unresolved for so long, particularly when investigated by a station like Sea Point, which does not experience the same high case volume as others in the province. Gotsell linked this lack of urgency to a broader pattern of sluggish responses to road deaths and reckless driving in Cape Town. He was speaking after attending proceedings in an unrelated case at the Cape Town Magistrate's Court — the February 1 crash in Bree Street that claimed the life of a young dentist. That case has also faced repeated delays and was recently postponed again until September 26. 'Alarmingly, the accused filed a motion to bar the media from future proceedings,' Gotsell said. 'While it is ultimately up to the court to decide, justice in cases like these must be done and be seen to be done. Too many still treat Cape Town's roads as their personal race tracks — the public deserves transparency.'
IOL News
08-05-2025
- IOL News
3GAR's McLaren crash: Why is the investigation taking so long?
Viral video of McLaren crash sparks calls for road safety. Image: X Two months after a high-speed crash involving a McLaren supercar in Sea Point, police have yet to charge anyone, despite video footage and widespread public outcry. The March 1 incident, which occurred on High Level Road, saw a McLaren 570S slam into a wall after allegedly reaching speeds of up to 200km/h. The driver, identified as Nigerian rapper Prince Daniel Obioma — known by his stage name 3GAR — was hospitalised following the crash. While a case of reckless and negligent driving is under investigation, Western Cape police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed. The docket has been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a decision. 'A reckless and negligent driving case is being investigated, as in this case where the driver was taken to hospital by ambulance for medical treatment due to his injuries at the time,' said police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk. 'The case docket was referred to the DPP for decision. Nobody has been charged yet.' The delay has drawn strong criticism from both political figures and members of the public, who argue that the matter should have been swiftly dealt with, given the availability of CCTV footage showing the vehicle travelling at high speed prior to the crash. Nicholas Gotsell of the DA's Select Committee for Security and Justice said the lack of progress reflects poorly on the South African Police Service (SAPS). 'It has been two months since a McLaren supercar, driven recklessly through Sea Point by a well-known rapper, crashed into a wall. Yet, SAPS has still not laid any charges or made any arrests,' Gotsell said. 'Despite clear CCTV footage and mounting public frustration, the investigation remains stalled, and the silence from SAPS is deafening.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Gotsell said he had written twice to Western Cape Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile requesting clarity on the case's progress. 'The response was non-committal and basically says that he cannot offer a timeline on when it will be completed.' He questioned why an incident supported by visual evidence could remain unresolved for so long, particularly when investigated by a station like Sea Point, which does not experience the same high case volume as others in the province. 'My response to him was that Sea Point police station is not nearly as busy as other stations in the Western Cape, and therefore I find it strange that an investigation like this one has not delivered any decisions in two months' time.' Gotsell linked this lack of urgency to a broader pattern of sluggish responses to road deaths and reckless driving in Cape Town. He was speaking after attending proceedings in an unrelated case at the Cape Town Magistrates' Court — the 1 February crash in Bree Street that claimed the life of a young dentist. That case has also faced repeated delays and was recently postponed again until 26 September 2025. 'Alarmingly, the accused filed a motion to bar the media from future proceedings,' Gotsell said. 'While it is ultimately up to the court to decide, justice in cases like these must be done and be seen to be done. Too many still treat Cape Town's roads as their personal race tracks — the public deserves transparency.' He expressed frustration over what he described as the rapper's rebranding on social media following the crash. 'Meanwhile, the rapper who crashed the McLaren continues to reinvent himself online, now boasting about his other car — fortunately an SUV,' Gotsell said. 'But his safety does not undo the danger he posed to others. His narrative of victimhood has been widely accepted by fans — and, it seems, by the police as well.'
