The meeting was attended by ward councillors, Douglasdale police members, Metro police officials, Gauteng Transport representatives, and various members of security companies and medical response teams.
New station commander for Douglasdale Police Station, Brigadier Lettie Hugo began the meeting by discussing various crime trends and figures across all four sectors. Sector 2 stood out as the worst affected by crime, with Sector 1, Sector 4 and Sector 3 following in that order.
It was not crime, however that caused any furore at the meeting, for there was much to say about the traffic chaos that Fourways motorists face on a daily basis.
Officials from Metro police and Gauteng Transport stood in the line of fire as the forum’s chairperson, Jean Berdou questioned them about lawless and impatient motorists.
Berdou stated that the Forum had received countless complaints of lawless taxis and motorists driving on pavements, islands and into oncoming traffic. “Two pedestrians were run over and killed,” said Berdou. “The situation is out of control. What can you do to increase patrols in our area?”
Sergeant Brian Senza of Region A Metro police responded by saying they were currently attempting to establish a unit which would patrol these affected areas during peak hour traffic, and would deal with the moving violations especially unruly taxis.
“We hope that the unit will yield results,” said Senza. “I’m promising, putting my head on the block, that we are actually trying our utmost best.”
Senza added that his department would approach Johannesburg Roads Agency to assist them in setting up deterrent measures such as placing boulders or planting trees on pavements and islands to stop the illegal activities from happening.
Chief Provincial Inspector, Leslie Ramafoko of Gauteng Transport also stepped up to the plate and said his entity would also assist Metro police on Mondays and Fridays, to which meeting attendees erupted in grateful applause.
Should taxi associations also be present at forum meetings to improve cohesion between taxi drivers and the general public? Share your thoughts with us by sending an email to fourwaysr@caxton.co.za
