Springs Taxi Association open for business again

Kwa-Thema – The Springs Taxi Association is finally open again amid threats to members’ safety.

This after the executive was forced to shut their doors by concerned members of the association on January 24.

On the day, it is alleged a group of disgruntled members barged into the taxi offices demanding they shut down.

On Tuesday morning, the association’s execo took the decision to start operating again.

Secretary of the association Themba Ginidi said they decided to heed the call after some of their members’ lives were threatened.

“On December 18 I was shot at while driving out of my home by unknown men. Fortunately, I escaped unharmed.

“Three days later a taxi patroller was shot dead.

“We don’t have proof of the two incidents being linked, but we decided to deal with the matter behind closed doors to protect the lives of our members,” said Ginidi.

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The secretary also explained an unruly concerned member demanded to have a meeting with the chairperson of the association, Leonard Molo.

“He claimed not to be happy with the running of the association and said some of the taxis were not registered to operate.

“During that meeting, they couldn’t reach an agreement and a few days later he went to the Springs Taxi Rank demanding, before each and every taxi is loaded with passengers, to see the owners.

“This didn’t make sense to the members.”

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Ginidi added on December 8 they decided to call a special executive meeting to address these issues but the member failed to attend.

The association claims to have written another letter inviting the member to the meeting for December 10 but he refused to attend again.

“We cannot afford to keep the association’s doors closed,” added Ginidi.

The association said they have enlisted the services of the police and private security companies to patrol the grounds of the association.