A local driver fears for his life after he was allegedly pulled over by a taxi driver, who demanded that he pay for travelling on the R102 or else his vehicle would be set alight.
The man’s manager, a Ballito resident who asked to remain anonymous, said his driver was forced to stand on the side of the road for more than an hour while the man they believed was a taxi driver, demanded R2000 cash from him.
“He travels in a bakkie between Groutville and Umhlali every day, picking up our staff along the way and on Monday, he was told that because he had passengers he had to pay to use the road.
“He was also told that the R102 was only for taxis.
“The man refused to let my driver go and demanded that he phone me to bring the money to them.”
The taxi driver reportedly claimed he was carrying five litres of petrol and threatened to set the bakkie alight.
Also read: Taxi rank terror for Ballito couple
The employer said other trucks and bakkies were also being ‘held hostage’ at the side of the road on the scorching day.
“The man only agreed to let my driver go after he tried calling me a number of times and could not get through. The man took my driver’s number down and phones him about six times a day from a private number, demanding the R2000. He was told that had the police stopped him, he would be fined for much more.”
The men did not report the incident to the police for fear of reprisal from the extortionists.
However, Umhlali SAPS spokesperson captain Vinny Pillay said the station had received many similar reports.
“Farm vehicles carrying loads as well as a private vehicle have been stopped. This is absolutely illegal and we are urging people not to pay these men.”
Pillay said SAPS have met with the Dolphin Coast Taxi Association to resolve the issue.
South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) regional chairperson Bongani Mkhwanazi said they were not aware the incident.
The Dolphin Coast Taxi Association had not responded at the time of going to print.
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