Still no taxi rank for Windmill Park commuters
The site where the taxi rank should have been build is now abandoned.
Windmill Park has been famously known as a hotspot for taxi violence since 2012 due to the Reiger Park and Vosloorus taxi associations’ struggle over routes.
In November 2014, five people were killed and two more were injured after gunmen opened fire on taxi owners and passengers in Windmill Park.
Taxi operations in Windmill Park were halted for a while in 2014.
A temporary taxi rank was under construction near the Windmill Park Primary School which was meant to alleviate the transport woes suffered in the area.
Construction began but somehow fell through the cracks.
The Advertiser visited the abandoned site on October 31 and some of the structures, like the concrete seats, built by the municipality are still there. According to residents, the fence which secured the site was stolen.
Lucian Peters said: “This site has not been used since the taxi violence. It’s just an unoccupied space now.
“I think it’s better that the taxi rank doesn’t reopen because it will spark war again in the area. Our area has been peaceful since the taxi rank moved.
“I believe if they are considering to bring back the taxi rank they must ensure that everyone understands one another that there will be no war, which is impossible.”
Sibongile Dlamini said she hopes the municipality doesn’t continue with construction because they won’t feel safe if the taxi rank reopens.
“Considering that the war took place near the primary school, our children were not safe. We always feared for them. I think the government should build the taxi rank at Barry Marais where it’s at now because it’s far from people’s houses.”
Abel Tsotetsi, PRO for Vosloorus and Boksburg District Taxi Association, said: “The taxi rank was closed due to the previous violence that unfolded over routes. We are still waiting for government to reopen that taxi rank. After the closure of the taxi rank, the violence stopped.”
Tsotestsi said it would be nice for the rank to be reopened because where the taxi rank is currently situated is not safe.
“We now operate in an open space near Barry Marais but it is unsafe due to motorists always travelling at high speeds in the area,” Tsotetsi said.
The Advertiser is still waiting for a response from the metro.
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