13 January 2009
Seventeen taxi operators have been arrested in the Klerksdorp area for
allegedly possessing fraudulent taxi permits. They were arrested between 1
December 2008 and yesterday, following the declaration of the state of
emergency by the North West Transport, Roads and Community Safety MEC, Phenye
Vilakazi.
Vilakazi made the declaration to curb possible taxi violence after acts of
violence and intimidation amongst taxi operators were reported. 15 taxi
associations operating around Dr. Kenneth Kaunda district municipality are
involved in a feud over routes.
The state of emergency has also led to 30 minibus taxis being impounded for
either operating on unauthorised routes or without valid taxi permits. The
operators have to pay a R5 000 fine for the taxis to be released.
Vilakazi held a series of meetings with stakeholders in the area yesterday,
to assess the situation. He warned taxi associations to stop operating without
valid operating permits or face the full might of the law.
The taxi conflict has affected taxi operations in areas such as Klerksdorp,
Potchefstroom, Orkney, Stilfontein, Hartebeesfontein, Kanana and other routes
linking the areas and other provinces.
During his visit to Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom taxi ranks yesterday,
Vilakazi discovered that most taxis operated without permits and license discs
while others operate on fraudulent permits and have additional seats installed
to overload passengers.
Meanwhile 13 departmental officials are still under investigation for
allegedly issuing illegal taxi permits. They have been on suspension since
early last year.
For more information contact:
James Moche
Tel: 018 387 4705
Cell: 082 802 0585
Issued by: Department of Transport, Roads and Community Safety, North West
Provincial Government
13 January 2009
