About 30 taxi operators have suspended all operations in Windmill Park for months now, due to the Reiger Park and Vosloorus taxi associations’ struggle over routes.
The two associations are also due to consider joint operations, to enhance the profitability of taxi owners in future.
In Windmill Park, which is a hot spot for taxi violence and which has seen taxi operations halted for a while, a temporary taxi rank is under construction, which will alleviate the transport woes suffered in the area since November, last year, when give people were killed and two more injured, after gunmen opened fire on taxi owners and passengers.
Residents have mixed feelings about the rank, in light of the previous violence.
Nomsa Xulu said the opening of a temporary rank does not sit well with him.
“I don’t understand, why would they want to re-open the rank after innocent lives were lost last year, in violence?” he asked.
“As a resident of Windmill Park, I don’t want this taxi rank, because when the violence starts, even passengers are injured and caught up in the taxi-related fights. We just don’t feel safe.”
Darryn Koopman approves of the taxi rank.
“In fact, due to the violence, we as residents have also suffered due to transport problems,” he said.
”I, however, feel this time around there will be a peaceful co-existence between the taxi operators.”
Another resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said residents want soldiers, not police, to make sure Windmill Park remains safe.
“We just want the community to unite and support the taxi rank,” he added.
”Taxi’s simply don’t want to run in Windmill Park, so we have to walk long distances to find one.
“We will not forget the shootings in Windmill Park and we, therefore, hope this time around the taxi associations can put their differences aside to work together for the good of the community.” – @NalediBoksburg
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