Windmill Park drivers pay fine to get their cars back
Windmill Park motorists who helped to ferry residents to work after taxis stopped operating in the area have had to pay R400 per vehicle as a fine.
The motorists were left stranded after their cars were impounded on January 12, after the Gauteng Traffic Police accused them of operating an illegal taxi rank.
The motorists were initially fined R1 500 each to have their cars returned to them. After pleading with the department their fines were reduced to R400.
A driver, who wished to remain anonymous, said they relied on donations to pay the fines, as most of the helpful community members are, themselves, unemployed.
“I am happy that we have our cars back today [January 20], but from now on I am backing off and will not be transporting people soon,” he said.
“This situation could have been prevented if our government had addressed the taxi violence in Windmill Park, but so far nothing has been done.
“So many people’s lives have already been lost due to the violence.
“All the government has done is to stop taxis from operating in the area, which has caused greater problems, such as people becoming vulnerable targets for criminals, as they have to walk long distances to catch a taxi.
‘We have tried our local metro, province and even the Office of the President to resolve the issue of taxi violence, but so far there’s been no help.
“Around the festive season, we were doing the work that the police officers were supposed to be doing, which is protecting the people by providing safe transport.
”We got burned for trying to do a good deed.
“As the community, we are crying out for the government to think of our safety.”
DA PR councillor for Ward 29, Gary Scallan, has taken in interest in the plight of the drivers, saying that he approached the DA Caucus to further discuss this matter.
“I met with the drivers and they explained what happened; Windmill Park community leader Sibongile Thuse was also present,” he said.
“I find it very suspicious that over 20 vehicles from the Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni Flying Squads came in numbers to ambush the people in Windmill Park.
“It came to a point where one driver was ambushed with a gun. What happened to human dignity?”
“On the day that the cars were impounded, the drivers were dumped at the Germiston pound and left stranded in the middle of the night.”
The driver confirmed they were left stranded and had to risk their safety to find their way home.
“These taxi problems have been a headache for more than 10 years and I really admire the Windmill Park drivers who tried to help the community,” said Scallan.
“I am very angry that the Transport MEC, Ismail Vadi, hasn’t come up with a proper solution as yet.
”As the DA, we are not going to rest until the transport issues have been resolved.” – @NalediBoksburg
