Taxi industry cleans up CBD of criminals
Some financial help from business should see the patrollers employed for longer.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) in Port Shepstone has been applauded for leading by example, to rid the central business district (CBD) of criminals.
Recently the CBD was a hit by a crime wave making it impossible for anyone to shop, and business owners were robbed as they entered their premises.
The town and surrounding areas were over-run by vagrants, criminals and drugs traffickers. Businesses were suffering, shoppers were robbed daily, as well as the elderly of their monthly pensions.
Two weeks ago, the Herald reported on the crime-ridden CBD and how it affected many. Now, the taxi industry is doing an excellent job ‘cleaning up’ the streets. It is early days, however business owners and shoppers are now confident of walking freely and carrying their handbags.
“Being a woman I feel so much safer now. I speak for all women. Many people lost their salaries at the hands of criminals and paras. I now feel safe knowing we have the taxi association members patrolling the streets,” said Nicoleen Govender.
Street vendors said they are happy but since the patrols only started on Tuesday last week, they cannot tell the difference as yet. They said they will wait a while and on busy days such as pension payouts to see the results. “We have hope and believe that these patrols will help a lot because these patrollers mean business,” said one vendor who didn’t want to be named.
A number of business owners said they can see a difference and shoppers feel safe now. “We only hope that this works out in the long run and want to see police and law enforcement working together with the taxi volunteers. I must add that we are proud of what the taxi association has done so far,” said one business owner.
Regional chairperson of Santaco, Lizwi Maphumulo said there is no problem running the patrols for as long as it is needed, but financial help will be appreciated from businesses, to pay the patrollers.
“Our issue is funds because we are paying them from our own pockets. We have opened a bank account to pay the patrollers and if anyone, especially businesses could donate we would be grateful.”
Maphumulo said that unemployed people were hired and they are paid every week, so a helping hand is needed.
When asked if the municipality has offered assistance, he said nothing has been given or said to them by the municipality.
“We have not received help from anyone, we are doing this by ourselves.”
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