Crackdown on local taxis

The Randfontein and Gauteng Traffic departments joined forces recently and conducted a massive round up of all the taxis in the area.

The taxi’s were sent to the Randfontein testing facility where they were tested, prodded and checked to make sure that they were roadworthy and safe to transport passengers.

“We check the vehicles’ tires, shocks, exhausts, suspensions, wheel alignment and brakes to make sure that they are functioning correctly and in good working order. If the taxi has three or more defects of the mentioned categories, the license disc is removed and the vehicle declared not roadworthy,” explained Provincial Inspector Mandy Beck from the Gauteng Traffic Department.

The owner of the taxi then has to fix the problems and put the vehicle through the testing process again.

Percy Rabotapi a taxi driver transporting children from Mohlakeng to Randfontein told the herald that he thinks that the initiative by the Traffic Department is a very good thing. “It will help with the safety of the kids and help us drivers to see where we can improve our vehicles,” Percy said after his vehicle passed the test.

Most of the drivers shared Percy’s view on the program but some did feel that it was unfair that no notice was given to them before the day. “They caught us unaware and being a new taxi owner in Toekomsrus is a struggle. If something breaks on my vehicle or needs replacing I have to save up to afford it,” Deon Martins said on the day.

Another taxi driver, Boitumelo Mokobane said that although he is losing a lot of money because of the operation, he still feels that it is a good thing and believes that the drivers who do not maintain their taxi’s should be penalized for putting innocent people’s lives in danger.

The Traffic Department will release the statistics of the operation once they have assessed it and send it to the herald for publication with their comments about their findings.