Taxi drivers continue taunts

Last week, unruly taxi drivers continued their rampage and abusive behaviour on Harris and Laurie Roads.

In the January 22 edition of the NEWS, it was reported that taxi drivers were threatening motorists with weapons on these roads.

Using knobkerries, taxi drivers intimidate oncoming motorists to move off the road or face injury.

“If motorists in the oncoming lanes do not allow the taxis to pass, the drivers use the knobkerries to smash and damage windscreens,” said Edenvale resident, Mr Kesigan Padayachee.

Another motorist, Ms Monique Morris, concurred with the statements and said she feared for her safety as a female motorist.

Last week, Ms Morris snapped more photographs of unruly taxi drivers on Laurie Road.

“They drive into Laurie Road from the side streets to skip past all the traffic,” said Ms Morris.

“The taxi drivers then decide to travel down the road into oncoming traffic. At the intersection with Modderfontein Road, the drivers then try to squeeze back into traffic causing major delays for everyone,” she added.

“As soon as someone, me in this case, tries to block them from pushing into traffic, they threaten to stab you with knives and damage your car with knobkerries and iron bars,” said Ms Morris.

She added that taxi drivers seem to target women driving alone, “more than any other car on the road”.

The NEWS has yet to receive feedback on the matter from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD).

At the time the NEWS received the first complaints, an enquiry as well as photographs were sent to the spokesperson for the EMPD, Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago, for comment.

The NEWS was referred to Superintendent Vusi Mabanga and Inspector Kobedi Mokheseng for comment.

The NEWS sent the enquiry on Wednesday, January 16 and requested comment by Friday, January 17.

At the time of going to print on January 27, no comment was received.