Deputy secretary of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) in the Ugu region, Khangelani Caluza placed emphasis on getting help from the SAPS, at a crime prevention indaba held at Port Shepstone Civic Centre last week.
Caluza said there is a lot of crime at the taxi ranks and that the main problem is drugs.
“We even have taxi drivers who are now involved in drugs, it’s either they take drugs or sell it.”
He said another challenge is the temporary relocation of the Port Shepstone taxi rank to the bus rank in Port Shepstone.
Plans are expected to get underway soon, to convert the Port Shepstone taxi rank into an integrated intermodal facility as part of an urban renewal programme.
“As we will be moving, we will be moving with paras, drug dealers and all other crimes. We need help from the police and law enforcement.”
He also mentioned that they also need help regarding the obvious challenges facing the taxi industry.
Caluza said more crimes occur at the ranks on social grant collection days when criminals come out in their numbers to target people and rob them.
“On these days, we would be happy to have police presence and foot patrols as it might scare them off.”
He also said that it has been reported to Santaco that some of the informal traders known as ‘Sharks’ are being used to hide and sell drugs, and stolen goods.
“Currently we find it very difficult to control crime at the taxi rank because it is congested and we are unable to identify the perpetrators. We hope the new Port Shepstone taxi rank mall will be structured in such a manner that will enable Santaco to fight crime.”
Santaco has suggested the installation of surveillance cameras and a satellite police station at the rank.
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality issued a statement stating that the Port Shepstone taxi rank will be moving to a temporary taxi rank (bus rank) on Friday, October 21.
Taxis and informal traders will be moved to the bus rank where they will be operating for the next 18 months.
“Work to minimise inconvenience and confusion has been done through clear and visible markings on where specific taxis will be loading and offloading.”
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
