Taxi rank drama leaves commuters frustrated

Commuters in Krugersdorp have been left frustrated with the lack of clarity from taxi associations and Mogale City Local Municipality. This has led to a recent standoff at the Krugersdorp Taxi Rank in the CBD on October 18.

Early that day, an altercation broke out between taxi associations Krudito and Munsieville as well as the police. According to councillor Mark Trump, the reason behind the standoff was a result of disputing routes between Krugersdorp, Kagiso and Muldersdrift.

“Hundreds of commuters make use of the taxi rank, coming into the CBD from Magaliesburg, Kagiso, Munsieville and Muldersdrift. Disputes which we witnessed on October 18, not only affect the commuters but also the businesses and other road users. Businesses were told by police to close Pretoria Street as a precautionary measure until such time that the dispute is resolved,” said Trump.

• Also read: Journalist attacked during taxi association drama at Mogale’s rank

When the Krugersdorp News team arrived on the scene at the time of the altercation, all seemed quiet at first as the police had confronted the drivers to ensure things did not get out of hand. However, it would not be the case as taxi drivers would attack the News team which eventually led to the damage of equipment while covering the story.

The News can confirm there are also several issues at the taxi rank going beyond the dispute of routes.

These issues include crime, theft, and the lack of sanitation at the rank. A private security company has since been hired by the municipality to ensure safety in the taxi rank however, according to one security guard who requested that they remain anonymous, it is impossible to maintain safety as they are not well equipped.

”There are thousands of commuters who use the taxi rank daily and violence is a common occurrence here. There are only two of us working here so it makes it difficult to maintain order in a large group of people,” the security guard said.

Obakeng Modise, who is a regular commuter at the taxi rank, also expressed his concern over the lack of safety and chaos that takes place at the rank.

“It’s almost a norm to witness crime take place in broad daylight at the taxi rank. Commuters are mugged either at gunpoint or assaulted and nothing is being done about it.”

Trump also confirmed the sanitation issues at the taxi rank being a problem along with legislation not being respected.

“Even though there are toilets in good working order, commuters still urinate and defecate against walls. Litter is constantly being thrown around regardless of the many dustbins placed in the taxi rank. By-laws are not being enforced and illegal traders occupy the pavements and dump their waste in the canal and on the sidewalks of the school adjacent to the rank. Taxi drivers and vendors inside the rank use the fire hydrants to wash their taxis. The food vendors and taxi drivers have also done a petition to the speaker’s office, regarding the entrance being unsafe as it is shared by taxis and pedestrians,” Trump added.

The News reached out to the municipality and the taxi associations involved to get more clarity, however, both parties refused to comment on the matter.

Following the incident, the Mzansi Commuters Association expressed their concern in a statement about how commuters will be affected if the issue is not addressed.

“Commuters will be hit hard due to the dispute. They have no say in the matter and will be put into a submissive position as a result. They will have to pay more for their trips and things are already bad enough in this economic climate.”