To serve and protect their customers are what two taxi marshals from Randburg United Local and Long-Distance Taxi Association take very seriously.
Maviyo Mchunu and Sbani Mtambo stand at the Malibongwe and Bellairs Drive intersection where taxis are known to stop and pick up or offload passengers.
With their association’s visibility vests on, they monitor taxi drivers and stop them from blocking other road users and causing traffic congestion.
However, their work has not been viewed in a positive light by the rest of the community as the marshalls carry sjamboks and are seen as rude towards other road users.
Motorists who use the intersection have questioned the legality of the marshall’s actions and whether or not it is an intimidation tactic towards fellow road users.
“There is a taxi stop just metres away from the intersection so we want to stop our colleagues from blocking traffic, especially during peak hours. We also help passengers get into the correct taxi in a speedy manner but people have to understand that our job is to transport people,” said Mtambo.
They don’t allow passengers to be dropped off by vehicles from other associations or by regular taxis as another safety precaution. However, their rules have seen them come into conflict with those passengers as well as Uber drivers.
There was a spate of ‘rape’ taxis whereby passengers were taken to an unknown location and raped or robbed. This forced the association to introduce countermeasures to lower the risk.
“When a passenger is dropped off here to take a taxi, they are in a sense entrusted to us. If they were to be kidnapped or taken, then who will be blamed in that case? They were dropped off here so we will be the suspects,” said Mtambo.
“So when a person standing here at our taxi stop calls for an Uber, we will not allow them to get on for those reasons, safety is a priority for us. We also know all the taxis in our association that drive this route so we would not put passengers in a taxi we do not recognise.”
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Taxi associations also use a system to divide local routes to curb competition that leads to violence and killing. Taxis are allowed to pick up passengers along the routes dedicated to them but failing to adhere to this rule, can have serious consequences. Drivers or taxi owners that find themselves in hot water for breaking this rule will face a hefty fine and the taxi will be impounded.
“When we do this, we face abuse from the community and other road users but we never resort to violence. Company vehicles that transport people must have a list of the people in the vehicle or else it is breaking the rules. They are interfering in our line of work without paying a membership fee,” said Mchunu.
Recently, road users claimed that the marshals attacked a truck filled with labourers in the morning and late afternoon. Road users reported there had been a violent fight between the two parties but Mchunu and Mtambo set the record straight. “What happened is that we are on friendly terms with the men on the truck and we tease each other on a daily basis.
“Sometimes when we are not paying attention, they stop the truck near us and spray us with water. It’s all good fun because nobody gets hurt.”
From 5am to 6pm, the marshals stand at the taxi stop to monitor taxis from their association as well as protect passengers. Marshals are also stationed in other areas around Randburg.
Ward 101 councillor Dalu Cele said he was aware of the marshalls who have now been joined at the intersection by Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officers.
However, the Metro Police’s spokesperson was not aware of the actions of the marshalls as issues with taxi marshalls was not in his jurisdiction.
“I have had reports that the patrollers intimidate commuters by threatening them to use taxis, particularly if passenger cars stop and pick up passengers,” said Cele.
“I understand that they also threatened one of the residents that stopped over and took pictures of such incidents. This has been reported to me and I escalated the issue to JMPD. I understand JMPD is dealing with the matter. Given the above, it is not a positive move.
“At this point in time, the concern is the threat to the commuters that use public transport or private passenger vehicles that collect family or friends at this intersection. It is certainly of great concern to the residents. I am confident that JMPD will resolve the issue in due course.”
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