THE taxi industry is perceived as a violent organisation which is run by people who have no conscience or humanity, but the Chesterville and Westville Taxi Association have taken it upon themselves to protect the commuters they serve and the community as a whole at the N3 Spine Road bridge in Westville.
The taxi owners decided in June last year they should take turns to guard the area so that they can monitor the surroundings and people could feel the safe.
One of the taxi owners, Lucky Sotobe said, “We transport people to various areas in Westville; the universities, prison, shopping centres, and the police already have too much on their plate to guard these intersections 24/7.
“We approached the police about this matter, Westville SAPS and also Metro Police and they gave us the go-ahead and support this idea.
“The people appreciate what we are doing and feel safer as the robberies here were very bad, especially in winter,” he said.
Speaking about the recent rock-throwing incidents in KZN, Sotobe said, “We also feel that by us being here, the perpetrators can not come into this area and injure or kill innocent people.”
Another taxi owner, Michael Gumede, said they do this out of love and are not paid or expect anything in return.
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The taxi owners who are on guard from Monday to Friday from 5.30am to 6.30pm said they are negotiating to be at the bridge on weekends as well. Besides looking out for suspicious activities, they also direct people to their destinations
“There is a very bad perception about the taxi industry and by doing this we are showing people that we are also humans and we do care about our commuters and the community.
Gumede said prospective drivers undergo a screening process.
“The main aim is for the people to be safe and our vehicles to stay in a good condition. People who experience ill treatment from our drivers are welcome to come to our offices at the Chesterville Rank and report that driver.
“We take complaints very seriously and we deal with that driver and discipline him and in serious matters, drivers are suspended,” he said.
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