Red light for illegal hitchhiking spot
Cars, taxis and trucks stop on the busy corner to pick up hitchhikers and in the process one lane is often blocked.
Hitchhiking at the Oribi Plaza traffic light intersection on the R102 has been an issue for years, and now marshals patrolling Port Shepstone CBD have been tasked by the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) to monitor the spot.
Large groups of people gather daily, hoping to hitch a ride north, and it has long been a bone of contention for motorists.
Cars, taxis and trucks stop on the busy corner to pick up hitchhikers and in the process one lane is often blocked.
Over the years many accidents have also occurred at the spot. Not only accidents, but reports of people having gone missing and kidnapped after accepting lifts from strangers.
In May 2022, three women who were offered a lift to Mtwalume by two strangers were taken to a sugarcane field, where they were raped and robbed.
Motorists also make illegal U-turns around the same spot.
Marshals patrolling Sheppie CBD have now been assigned by Santaco in the Ugu region, to monitor the spot.
The monitoring started about a week ago and a number of people who intended to hitchhike have been sent away, and instead asked to take a taxi at the rank.
Deputy secretary of Santaco, Khangelani Caluza said the intersection is often chaotic.
“It’s not only a safety hazard but it’s also bad for business.”
Caluza said people hike because it is cheaper than taking a taxi.
“We are also worried about people’s safety, especially women because there have been a number of reports that people have gone missing after they were last seen at that intersection.”
Caluza urges motorists not to pick up people at the intersection and also warns people not to hitchhike.
Meanwhile Umuziwabantu Municipality has requested Santaco to assist them in cleaning up crime in Harding.
Caluza said they have had a meeting with the relevant stakeholders and are now awaiting their decision.
The spokesperson for Umuziwabantu Municipality, Bruce Jalubane was contacted for comment but none was received at the time going to print.
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