Fourways residents are fed up with arrogant taxi drivers
FOURWAYS - Helen Holyoake, a Fourways resident, recalled a terrifying incident which she witnessed on the corner of Robin Road and Kingfisher Drive on 17 September.
Holyoake said she was parked on Robin Drive when she witnessed a high speed chase between a taxi and a motorist.
“The taxi chased and hooted at the bakkie and eventually drove adjacent to the bakkie,” she recalled.
Despite driving in the oncoming lane, the speeding taxi overtook many motorists on Robin Drive. “I have a daughter that attends Fourways High School and I am always worried that either she or her friends will get run over by ignorant taxi drivers on these roads.”
She said the taxi and bakkie stopped on the busy road and both drivers got out of their vehicles. Then a third vehicle pulled up next to the two vehicles and the driver emerged from his car holding what seemed to be a metal pipe. He threatened both drivers with the object.
According to Holyoake a number of onlookers approached the scene to diffuse the situation, however the taxi driver drove off. She then took to social media to raise her concerns surrounding the situation and received many responses from parents who showed the same concern.
Headmistress of Fourways High School Wendy de Bruyn commented on the situation and said they have repeatedly contacted the authorities to assist and the school is very concerned about the children’s safety.
In response, the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transportation said taxi owners needed to be more stricter on their drivers and warn them about breaking the law to avoid road rage situations. Metro police needed to be more visible and frequent fines and arrests needed to be made.
Spokesperson for Metro police Wayne Minnar agreed that taxi drivers who disregarded the rules of the road needed to be brought to book.
“…taxi owners needed to be more stricter on their drivers and warn them about breaking the law…” – This does not make them the money, owners will not do this.
“Metro police needed to be more visible and frequent fines and arrests needed to be made.” – Also will not happen, Go to Cnr of Hill and Kent in Randburg, pay off’s are rife.
I am not at all surprised by the attitude of Wayne Minnar with his “pass the buck” reply. Since he has been employed at the Metro Police, our roads have become culling grounds. Black taxis do as they please, sometimes in front of his henchmen, and there is a total disregard for the traffic laws. If he was serious about curbing this lawlessness on our roads he would be out at 6am in our suburbs with his cronies enforcing the laws of the road. We have to take back our roads. We have to stand together and not be intimidated, do not allow a taxi, or any other vehicle for that matter, to break the law. If we have to fight for our rights then so be it. The authorities will only listen when there are gun fights on our roads, if this is what they want we will have to take the fight to them.