The Dolphin Coast Taxi Association (DCTA) allegedly ‘seized’ a private car on Monday and demanded R2 000 for its release.
The car, owned by a Ballito resident, was being driven by a KwaDukuza man hired to privately transport children to school in Ballito and Umhlali.
It was allegedly stopped near the circle at Ballito Junction and forced, under taxi security escort, to the DCTA offices.
Once there, the association allegedly demanded R2 000 for release of the car and R20 000 for the car to be allowed to operate as school transport going forward.
This according to the car’s owner, who said he spoke to association member Johnson Govender.
While Govender confirmed the incident, he denied any vehicle impoundments or payment demands.
“Security escorted him to the association’s offices in Shakaskraal to explain himself,” said Govender.
“He said he was transporting scholars, so we told him that school transport falls under the association and he should get a sticker.”
“There is a fee for the paperwork to become affiliated to the association, but the person I spoke to on the phone was rude and called us criminals, so I ended the call.”
He added that any payment to the association must be documented with a receipt bearing the association’s stamp or letterhead. Without such proof, the association denies any involvement.
According to Govender, school transport vehicles across the North Coast must have stickers indicating their association with specific taxi routes.
However, the Scholar Transport Programme is run by the Education Department and permits are issued by the Transport Department.
The incident comes in the wake of increased attention on the DCTA and their attempts to protect their routes.
The Courier recently reported on the association’s attempts to limit Ubers in the area to just 25 cars (the exact number is still to be confirmed), who would need to pay a weekly amount for ‘security’.
Earlier this month, the DCTA also publicised their intention to stop people privately transporting their workers in ‘vans’ – understood to mean bakkies – with effect from July 8.
While the legality of transporting workers on the back of bakkies is murky and rarely enforced, what is clear is that the DCTA does not have the right to enforce the law.
iLembe police commissioner, major-general Anthony Gopaul, confirmed that the taxi association had no jurisdiction to enforce the law as this is strictly the job of the police and traffic officers.
He told the Courier that he met with the DCTA on Monday on the issue of the e-hailing service drivers, where he unequivocally made it clear that the taxi association or their security guards had no right to threaten or intimidate anyone.
“Anyone found to be pulling over other drivers and brandishing firearms will face the full might of the law,” he said.
Should this happen, Gopaul encouraged the public to open a case at the local police station.
“The public need not to be afraid to open a case. If they have any concerns they can go directly to the station commander’s office for assistance.”
Readers can also contact editor@northcoastcourier.co.za or phone 032-946 0276 to speak to a journalist.
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