Taxi operators must discipline rude drivers
There are taxi drivers who are not afraid to verbally abuse passengers.
The MEC for community safety security and liaison, Mr Pat Ngomane said taxi passengers should be as vigilant as they can on the road.
“Don’t use un-roadworthy taxis which you see that this is a moving grave,” he said.
He was speaking during the memorial service of 12 people who died on the N4 Toll road between Mbombela and Matsulu. 15 people, including the driver were killed. One of the deceased is from Swaziland, one from Middelburg and one from Bushbuckridge.
Also read:12 victims of N4 multi crash will be buried on Saturday
Ngomane added that passengers should not hesitate to report rude drivers for the sake of their own lives. “Generally, we know that there are rude taxi drivers who will stop their vehicles in the middle of nor where to offload passengers who complain about their bad driving,” said Ngomane.
Directing his message to members of the South African National Taxi Association (Santaco) who attended the memorial service, Ngomane said taxi owners should discipline drivers who mistreat passengers.
“You must hire drivers with ethics, who are able work with the public. If you receive complaints about a driver, you must act accordingly,” he said.
He added that bad driving and driving under the influence of alcohol contributes to many accidents on the roads in the country. He also said that the N4 road is becoming a killer road due to motorists who drink and drive.
“We are asking for prayers for all our roads,”he said.
Mr Mcondisi Matekwane who represented the bereaved families, asked for intense road safety awareness campaigns and traffic police visibility on the roads. Matekwane also urged pastors to continue supporting the bereaved families during this hard time..
A mass funeral service will be held on Saturday from 05:00 at the same venue, while few of the families announced that they will hold their own funeral services at their respected homes.
