Taxi bosses claim harassment after 109 vehicles seized
DIEPSLOOT - TAXI drivers, bosses and commuters were up in arms after Gauteng Department of Community Safety seized 49 taxis on the R511 heading to Fourways. The taxis were seized at 7.15am on 22 January.
In a meeting held by the Randburg United Long Distance and Local Taxi Association (Rullta) at the Diepsloot Youth Centre, taxi bosses spoke of their grievances.
Association members said they felt harassed by authorities who also seized 38 taxis on 16 December and another 60 on 16 January this year. All 109 taxis impounded this year are currently in the possession of the Gauteng Department of Community Safety’s holdings in Germiston. The department was not available for comment on the matter by the time of publishing.
Secretary general of the association, Godfrey Mushamula said, “Shortly after today’s incident, Diepsloot community members mobilised and burnt tyres in Extension 1, protesting.”
Rullta member, William Ngozo said, “Community members were not able to go to work, as they offloaded people during peak traffic.” Ngozo said he did not understand why the taxis were impounded during peak hour traffic.
Some of the taxis affected travel along the Fourways, Chartwell, Dainfern, Cosmo City and Lonehill routes.
The association confirmed that all taxis seized were found to have no permits and operating licenses. Members said they had tried to acquire the necessary documentation but it was still being processed.
In an incident still under police investigation, Fourways taxi owner, Alex Kubheka was gunned down outside the Foresthill Mall in Centurion on 20 January. Bystanders witnessed a red Golf driving away from the crime scene. It is still unclear as to why the shooting took place.
