Commuters unhappy over taxi rank move
MEC Sipho Hlomuka said that the move was communicated, however it is possible that it never reached some areas or communities.
Weeks after the Port Shepstone Taxi Rank was moved to the bus rank in the CBD, commuters are still unhappy and voiced their frustrations to acting MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Sipho Hlomuka at the National Council of Provinces People’s Parliament at Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre recently.
A commuter said: “Moving the taxis to the bus rank has caused nothing but commotion. One is lucky that no one has been struck by a taxi while walking at the new rank. It is overcrowded and the taxis drive in both directions where people are walking.”
Another speaker said nothing was communicated to the people before the move.
MEC Hlomuka said that the move was communicated, however it is possible that it never reached some areas or communities.
He said the move to the bus rank is temporary and that the taxi rank will return to its old site, once a multi-million rand upgrade has been completed.
Another issue discussed was that of Community Policing Forum (CPF) members not being paid.
The CPF chairperson of KwaNzimakwe Community Policing Forum, Falakhe Zakuza said a lack of partnership between the CPF and the Saps is a challenge.
“The CPF does important work, and we do more than the police. In KwaNzimakwe, CPF members were arrested and charged for fetching a stolen TV from a suspect’s house. Instead of the police arresting the suspect, they arrested our members. This is not right and proves that we have no working relationship, and we are not being recognised by the Saps,” said Zakuza.
He also added that not getting paid for the work also contributes to how they are being treated.
According to Hlomuka, a programme is in the pipeline to pay a stipend to CPF members and other safety structures.
“Talks are underway and once all has been finalised the CPFs will be notified. We are grateful for the role CPFs play in our communities. We will ensure good relations are forged between the Saps and CPF structures,” Hlomuka concluded.
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