Long-distance taxi drivers irate due to ‘increased hitchhiking’
Long-distance taxi drivers who transport commuters to and from Gauteng with a primary base in Polokwane, say they are noticing a rise in hitchhiking, which, if not brought to a halt, will result in a battle.
POLOKWANE – The drivers who embark on random patrols around the city barring hitchhiking from taking place, say when they stop motorists from transporting passengers, these drivers vandalise their vehicles and even threaten them with violence.
One driver who spoke to Polokwane Observer on condition of anonymity said his vehicle’s one window was damaged by a private driver who picked people up at a spot that falls within the permitted route that the said driver’s taxi association has authority over.
Read more: Stop hitchhiking and putting your life in danger- Taxi association urges
At the N1 traffic circle, there is often a queue of hitchhikers hoping to get a ride at a discount.
One of them told Polokwane Observer that “long-distance taxis take too long to fill up and a hike is cheap so I save money”.
One hitchhiking conductor told Polokwane Observer that they give commuters “discount, unlike taxis which are expensive but we have to be careful because sometimes taxi people come out of nowhere and start fighting with us and private car owners”.
The co-ordinator of local and long-distance taxis in Limpopo Joe Modisha says they urgently need to meet police and other authorities to reduce hitchhiking before the situation turns violent.
“Our drivers don’t want to resort to violence but we have already recorded cases of drivers being shot at, cars being vandalised and them being physically threatened by private car drivers, who want to take business from the taxi industry, It will turn ugly if we don’t act in time.”
Transport spokesperson Matome Moremi-Taueatsoala said they sympathise with all affected by the discrepancies between hitchhikers and taxi drivers, however “the practice is not illegal especially when it happens 500m from a taxi rank”.
He said there are taxis that come to the province to transport people to occasions such as weddings and funerals, and then want to transport other passengers on their way back to Gauteng.
Moremi-Taueatsoala said the department supports a dialogue among all the stakeholders in the business.
Commenting on behalf of the police, Lt Col Mamphaswa Seabi said as law enforcement they only have the mandate to create awareness, by informing commuters of the dangers of travelling in a private vehicle.
“We can, however, not advertise the work of the taxi industry by imposing modes of transport on people. We can only advise. It is still within citizens’ rights to decide for themselves how they want to travel,” he concluded.
Also read: Police warn on the dangers of hitchhiking
