Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe has condemned the ongoing taxi patrollers for harassing community members who are often seen on the roadside asking for lifts from passing motorists who seem to be going to the directions they are also going to.
The MEC has noted that taxi patrols have the tendency of forcing hitchhikers to utilize mini bus taxis that are allocated at nearby taxi ranks even when they are not willing to do so.
According to reports, in Middelburg there was a vehicle which was reportedly using a green rotating light at night. It is also alleged that a taxi patrol was illegally operating demanding permits and asking money from the drivers.
In another incident, a pedestrian was knocked over by a taxi patrol on the R573 Road at Phola Park, the incident took place earlier this year. Other motorists survived attempted car hijacking in KwaMhlanga on R573 Road.
Some opened cases of common assault. Again this year a taxi patrol caused collision of two vehicles on the R568 Road at KwaMhlanga which involved a traffic officer’s private vehicle.
According to the MEC, this tendency of forcing people to their taxis is illegal. He says they are practicing this in their own and should refrain from harassing ordinary members of the public. In essence, he states that their actions constitute vigilantism because they are not transport inspectors or law enforcement officers.
“The responsibility to patrol roads resides with law enforcers and public transport inspectors. The patrollers should rather raise their concerns with relevant authorities. Although we are not encouraging members of the public to stand on highways and ask for lifts, we cannot condone vigilantism that comes in the form of taxi patrollers wrestling for passengers with private vehicle owners,” said Shongwe.
Shongwe has also warned motorists not to stop where it is not safe to do so or where they are prohibited by the road signs. He added that those who are operating their vehicles for profits without necessary permits and are caught will face the full might of the law because it is illegal.
MEC argues that taxi patrols are violating the rules by forcing people to their taxis. He said the passengers have a right to decide on their travel arrangements or means of public transport.
The MEC is concerned that this has a possibility of causing conflict and tension between private motorists and taxi drivers. He further adds that this could cause severe injuries and deaths while they battle over the hitchhikers with private vehicles.
The MEC explained that there is no law that states that commuters are bound to use taxis only as their means of transport from one place to another. He emphasizes that people have the freedom and choice of using any type of transport when travelling to their destinations at any time they wish to do so.
MEC Shongwe has warned the taxi patrols stating that law enforcers will be deployed in various areas to ensure the safety and security of communities.
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