The Dolphin Coast Taxi Association has condemned the recent extortion of money from Dolphin Coast motorists, allegedly by some of their taxi drivers.
Last week, a local bakkie driver who was travelling in a company vehicle, was pulled over on the R102 between Umhlali and Groutville, by a man believed to be a taxi driver.
The victim was told that he had to pay a R2000 fine for travelling on the R102 and if he did not, his vehicle would be set alight.
The driver’s employer who asked to remain anonymous out of fear said his driver was now being harassed by the taxi driver, who phoned about six times a day from a private number, to demand money.
Also read: Taxis accused of extortion on the R102 – Umhlali
They were forced to change their route and now use the N2.
“He travels in a bakkie every day, picking up our other staff along the way and last 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,” said the employer, who is a Ballito business owner.
Dolphin Coast Taxi Association spokesperson Sunshine Mthiyane said they were aware of the problem.
“We do not support such behaviour and we have a division in the organisation that deals with disciplinary action. We are currently working with police to address the issue and to identify the culprits.”
Mthiyane encouraged victims to report incidents either to the association or to the police.
“At this point, we just have reports from the newspaper and from the police, but we do not have registration details, descriptions or information from police reports. We want to address the issue but we need people to come forward and at least tell us the taxi drivers name, registration details or give us his description.”
Umhlali SAPS captain Vinny Pillay confirmed that police were meeting regularly with taxi association members.
He said police received reports of such incidents but that no cases had been opened yet at Umhlali.
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