The Randfontein Traffic Department sent a strong message to motorists with unroadworthy vehicles when a minibus taxi was impounded earlier today (Thursday, 19 October).
According to Frans Matcaca, a Traffic Police officer, he and a fellow officer were conducting their usual routines when they spotted a taxi with no number plates and in a very bad condition. They pulled the vehicle over, and found that the driver had no licence, no Professional Driving Permit (PRDP), no passport or any other identification. They took the taxi to the Traffic Department offices, where it was assessed and found to be unroadworthy.
All of the following items were deemed problematic:
• No number plates
• Shattered windscreen
• Worn-out tyres
• No emergency warning triangle
• No fire extinguisher
• No interior door panels
• No driver’s licence
• No passport
• Overloading
• No traffic registration number
The list goes on. The driver of the taxi was not the owner of the taxi, but he received a fine and 14 days to fix all of the faults on the vehicle. As soon as the taxi is fixed he will have to go through a roadworthy test at the station and only then, if the taxi is cleared, will the owner be able to get his taxi back.
“Before the driver could take the taxi to get it fixed he had to pay the fine. Before he pays the fine, the taxi cannot leave our premises,” said Matcaca.
Matcaca is concerned because people do not obey the rules of the road and the law. He feels that unroadworthy vehicles result in accidents and loss of innocent lives.
“We have the community’s interest at heart and that is why we are on the lookout for unroadworthy cars,” said Matcaca.
For now, the taxi is discontinued, and not allowed on the road. The Traffic Department wants to warn people that they will be especially visible during this month, as it is Transport Month. This also serves as a build-up to the festive season.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
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