JMPD impounds unroadworthy taxis in Alexandra
Despite tragic crashes and ongoing national concern, some Alexandra’s scholar transport and taxi operators continue risking the lives of commuters with unroadworthy vehicles.
Despite a string of fatal accidents reported nationally, some taxi operators in Alexandra continue to operate unroadworthy vehicles, putting passengers at risk.
At the height of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s (JMPD) city‑wide enforcement operation targeting public transport, several unsafe vehicles were still on the road. This became clear on Friday when JMPD impounded multiple minibus taxis around the Pan Africa Shopping Centre precinct.
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JMPD director of operations Angie Mokasi confirmed that during their operation, a significant number of vehicles were found to be unroadworthy and unregistered. The vehicles were subsequently impounded to ensure the safety of the public.
“We are here to ensure that we protect the lives of the public that is using public transport, and force the drivers to comply with the rules of the road,” Mokasi told the media.
She stressed that it is time for commuter taxi and scholar transport drivers to comply fully with road regulations. Owners of the impounded vehicles, including minibus taxis and Avanzas, will be required to settle outstanding fines and licensing issues before reclaiming them.
Meanwhile, in the early hours of Friday morning, a small group of residents, believed to be scholar transport operators, staged a protest on London Road, calling it a ‘total shutdown’ in opposition to the impoundments of scholar transport vehicles.
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Their action followed reports of the planned enforcement operation in Alexandra, which they feared would target non-compliant vehicles.
JMPD acknowledged the community’s right to protest but cautioned against disruptions.
“In South Africa, constitutionally, people have the right to protest, to picket, but it should not be at the expense of other people,” JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla told Alex FM.
He added that parents taking children to school and operators who want to operate should not be impeded by demonstrations.
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