LED reclaims taxi rank through cleaning campaign

The local economic development (LED) department, in collaboration with the police, traffic department and taxi associations, launched a campaign to clean the Potch taxi rank on Monday, 28 September.

The taxi association and the police have received countless complaints about the cleanliness and safety of the Potch taxi rank. Together with Jeanne Adriaanse, the councillor of ward 24, they have been trying to develop possible solutions to create a safe, neat and clean space for the community of Potchefstroom as the taxi rank is situated within the central business district (CBD).

As the stakeholders assessed the premises, they found illegal occupants living in stalls that were initially meant for food-preparing hawkers. Adriaanse explained that the LED had built stalls for the hawkers and given identified hawkers keys. However, they refused to use the facility, which may have resulted in the illegal occupation.

Cyril Henry, the director of municipal services and LED, says the relevant officials went to the taxi rank last Friday, 25 September, to inform people that they would be launching a clean-up campaign. While they were there, they found a TV and microwave in the stalls.

Brigadier Steven Moodley, Potchefstroom police station commander, says the police arrested three suspects – for the possession of stolen property, drugs and an illegal immigrant. Although people may be living in the stalls, Brig. Moodley reassured officials that the aim of the cleaning campaign was not to evict people illegally but to promote a message of cleanliness and crime prevention.

Adriaanse says the vision of the campaign was to eventually change the stalls into offices for the taxi association, police, traffic department and officials of the Health Department.

Serame Mpedi, the chairperson of the Greater Potch Tank Rank, con-firmed that they had received several complaints, especially from concerned parents about the cleanliness of and violence at the taxi rank. With the facility being transformed into offices, he believes this will curb vandalism and any other criminal activities.

He appeals to the public to help keep the taxi rank clean and report any criminal activity to anyone from the taxi association or the police.

Victor Boqo, the events coordinator from the mayoral office, emphasised that the campaign would be ongoing. They want to ensure that they achieve the vision of the premises remaining clean and safe for commuters and those in the taxi association. In time, they hope to boost the security systems to ensure the safety of all and the protection of businesses in the area.

Adriaanse thanked the police and other stakeholders for their response and assistance in making the clean-up campaign a reality.