Taxi drivers make their mark
Taxi drivers have improved their painting skills to such an extent in Bruma that they are extending their brush strokes further afield.
Earlier this month the EXPRESS published an article stating that taxi drivers in Bruma tried to con Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers into believing that fake parking signs were real.
The taxi drivers painted their own outlines of a parking bay. They were “considerate” of bus drivers and painted a parking area for them as well.
Last week, Clr Carlos da Rocha, ward 66, said that taxi drivers are making a “mockery of the law” in his area as well.
“JMPD has been doing a sterling job trying to maintain law and order in ward 66.
“You can imagine my horror when JMPD officers pointed out to me that taxi parking signs where painted in Lang Street, Bertrams.
“The taxi drivers took it upon themselves to break the rumble strips in North Avenue as well.
“These drivers are doing as they please. They are also starting a taxi rank in Kloof Road, Observatory. I am quite furious with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) for not getting back to me regarding the painted lines and signs. I also questioned department of transportation management and did not get answers. What kind of city are we living in when the taxi drivers do what they want without punishment?” he asked.
Speaking at the Cleveland Community Police Forum held earlier this month, Sergeant Marius Boolsen, from JMPD, said the JRA and transport department confirmed that the signs and lines drawn on some Bruma roads were illegal.
“They said they would remove these signs and put up no parking signs,” he said.
Sgt Boolsen is part of the JMPD 10 Plus programme. He was allocated to ward 118.
He also said that taxi drivers who were allegedly parking in no-stopping and parking zones at the corner of Marcia Street and Ernest Oppenheimer Avenue, are being addressed.
“Those drivers who were making illegal U-turns can no longer do so because JRA put concrete barriers in the area,” he said.
JMPD also tried to address the problems taxi drivers are causing close to the old Bruma Flea Market. Residents close to the area said authorities need to remove the taxi drivers because of the mess they make.
Sgt Boolsen said council confirmed the taxi drivers were given permission to operate there.
Private developers apparently obtained the land from council and part of the agreement between council and the owner is that the developer provides a proper facility for the taxis. “Vagrants on this land will also move once the developer starts construction,” said Sgt Boolsen.
Clr Da Rocha said he will not tolerate lawlessness in his ward and is considering his options on what to do to address the problem in Bertrams and Observatory.
