POLOKWANE – Commuters in Seshego say they have had it with the long-standing taxi wars between the Seshego and Moletjie taxi associations.
Last week, the silent conflict turned violent when several Seshego drivers confronted those from Moletjie for apparently illegally transporting commuters on the township’s routes.
Commuters were forcefully escorted out of a Moletjie taxi into a Seshego taxi at the Legae la batho traffic lights to Ladanna amid profane exchanges between the two parties.
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According to their permit, Moletjie taxis may not open their doors from the Bloodriver traffic lights until they get into the city, Seshego-Polokwane Taxi Association (SPTA) spokesperson, Ally Mothiba told BONUS.
Often, especially in the mornings where many extensions and Legae la batho commuters rush to get to work, they take the first available taxi.
“This is where Moletji taxis take advantage. They steal our customers because their workplaces are in the industrial area, which is along their route into the city,” Mothiba said.
But commuters lamented a different story. It is common knowledge that Seshego drivers reject commuters that travel to Ladanna and instead prefer those who only travel straight into the central business district, as they would be rushing to return to the terminal at the taxi rank to make more money, one commuter told BONUS.
“Seshego taxis hardly stop in the mornings at the industrial site, no matter how much we beg them to do so. They do not care that it is part of their mandate to do so,” another commuter said, adding, “but when we use Moletjie taxis, Seshego drivers get upset”.
“I am on time and yet I am always late for work if a taxi from Moletjie doesn’t pick me. But over 10, Seshego taxis pass me going to town in those 15 minutes. The driver just turns me down when I mention that I am going to Ladanna,” another added.
Moletjie Taxi Association chairperson, Richard Kaka declined the opportunity to reply, for fear of “opening old wounds”.
Mothiba said they had over the years spoken to their drivers about “overlooking affected commuters”.
“Commuters should report them to the association’s management office in the city,” he advised.
“Write down their vehicles registration numbers and forward them to us. We assure you, the vehicle will continue on the route, but the driver will be suspended and if they persist, they will be removed.”
When BONUS approached one of the Moletjie drivers about their supposed illegal actions, they said “commuters often beg to be transported and the favour also helps us generate an extra income”.
A driver from Seshego, asked why they were apparently not keen to transport commuters into the industrial area, declined to comment.
Since last week, the SPTA conducts regular patrols.
