Talking safer taxis

Recent revelations of numerous rapes that have taken place in taxis prompted the Soul City Insititute for Social Justice to hold a panel discussion to promote and ensure safer commuting on taxis.

The institute is calling for more interventions with the taxi industry involved, including a national safe taxi charter for the taxi industry.

The panel discussion was facilitated by the institute’s chief executive officer Lebo Ramafoko and featured panelists Nonhlanhla Skosana from Sonke Gender Justice, Nokuphumla Dineka, deputy director at Gauteng Community Safety, Thuli Mthethwa from Memeza Community Safety, Mmakatlego Wamphutlane from Soweto Women’s Forum and Bafana Magagula, chief strategic manager at South African National Taxi Council (Santaco).

READ Motorists respond to taxis’ reckless driving in Craighall Park

Members of the audience challenged Santaco to determine how it can make taxis a safer form of transport for women. Some of the suggestions raised include properly trained queue marshals at taxi ranks, security at taxi ranks as well as better background checks when employing taxi drivers.

Magagula agreed that there are serious problems in the taxi industry. He said that one of the biggest challenges they faced is that they are not recognised by the government as a legal entity.

Magagula said that Santaco is fighting to be legislated so that there could better oversight of drivers.

Magagula added that there is an academy that trains taxi drivers in customer care that was supposed to be funded by government but as this has not happened, the academy has not moved beyond one province.

Dineka explained that the department had programmes such as the Green Door project where rape victims can seek refuge and are protected when reporting sexual crimes. However, she said also that these are not functional anymore due to poor security provided to the lay volunteers.

Mthethwa from Memeza, reiterated the importance of knowing what to do and how women can protect themselves when being attacked. Memeza Community alarm systems serve as a deterrent in alerting police of an imminent crime in the community and also as a personal alarm system for women to protect themselves.

Let us know what you think will promote safer taxis on Whatsapp 079 439 5345.