Unlicensed tuk-tuks in Melville
MELVILLE – Amanda Forsythe has warned residents not to use tuk-tuks that are not branded.
There are unlicensed tuk-tuks roaming around the streets of Melville, posing a threat to residents.
“Please be advised that there are a few tuk-tuks operating in and around Melville that do not belong to the official Melville tuk-tuk company (e-tuk tuk),” said Ward 87 councillor Amanda Forsythe .
According to Forysthe, these tuk-tuks are not licensed with the Department of Transport and therefore should not be on the roads.
“Because they are unlicensed, they cannot be insured to carry passengers. I have also been receiving reports of dangerous driving, going up one-ways against traffic and many more. If it doesn’t say e-tuk-tuk on the vehicle, please don’t use them,” warned Forsythe.
Forythe has reported the issue to the Johannesburg Metro Police Department and the matter is being investigated.
Resident Arlene du Bois said, “I was up at Campus Square [on 11 February], and one of these guys jumped a red robot… a robot that had been on red for a time. Even more frightening was – he had passengers in his tuk-tuk.”
It seems breaking road regulations might not be the only problem the illegal tuk-tuks bring to the neighbourhood.
Nonhlanhla Gama-Mbhokane said, “There is a tuk-tuk that is driving around Melville with a white guy claiming that he is the owner of Ocean Basket. He says he is looking for girls who want jobs. What frustrates me is that he was telling us about taking a shower at his house and he asks for your phone number so that he can call for the interview; but the interviews are conducted at his house on 3rd Avenue Melville”.
