Taxi drivers given a chance in Central

"We would like designated pathways such as the fancy Tshwane buses."

February 12, 2019

Reitumetse Mahope 2 minutes read

Issac Mahamba engaging with taxi drivers at the operation on Lilian Ngoyi street. Photo: Reitumetse Mahope

Taxi drivers can negotiate a payment plan for their fines with traffic officials during Tshwane metro police operations in the CBD, it was revealed.

“They can now pay in instalments which will depend on how much they can afford and how much they owe for their tickets,” said TMPD spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba.

Mahamba said these operations now created a platform where the drivers could make arrangements to pay their fines before they lost their licences.

He said these operations helped motorists, especially taxi drivers, with issues such as traffic fines or suspended licences.

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“Many taxi drivers drive without their licences as they are taken due to many infringements and/or offences.”

The Tshwane metro police (TMPD) is embarking on various road and safety awareness campaigns within the CBD as it steps up its road safety drive.

He said the TMPD were taking their road safety campaign to churches and taxi ranks in the central CBD.

“These safety operations were a commitment we made as the department due to the number of fatalities in Tshwane,” he said.

“We have to continue educating motorists and pedestrians about the importance of being safe on our roads.”

The most recent operations took place at Soutpan, Boom Steet taxi rank, Belle Ombre and opposite Tshwane house in Lilian Ngoyi Street.

Mahamba said these operations were well attended by taxi drivers throughout Tshwane.

Taxi driver Nicolas Monkwe said these operations were very helpful and welcomed by “us taxi drivers”.

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Monkwe said a number of drivers had been prosecuted for traffic violations such as driving without fastening seatbelts, speeding and driving unroadworthy vehicles.

He said now they were given a second “easier” chance to pay their fines and avoid being prosecuted or losing their licences.

Monkwe said, however, this operation was not enough because they were running businesses and had targets to meet.

“We would like designated pathways [lanes] such as those fancy Tshwane buses.”

He said even if it was designated to them during certain hours such as during peak traffic.

“Our businesses suffer during rush hour because we run on time and we cannot afford to be stuck in traffic. That is why we end up driving into oncoming traffic or on the bus lanes.”