Taxi drivers taunt motorists

Taxi drivers wielding weapons out of their windows have motorists up in arms.

Edenvale resident, Mr Kesigan Padayachee, witnessed one such incident on Tuesday last week.

“I was driving on Laurie Road just after 8am and saw two taxis driving in convoy. The drivers were swinging knobkerries from their windows,” said Mr Padayachee.

According to him the drivers were swinging knobkerries to intimidate motorists in the oncoming lane to move out the way and let the convoy pass.

“If motorists in the oncoming lane do not allow the taxies in convoy to pass, the drivers use the knobkerries to smash and damage car windscreens,” said Mr Padayachee.

Another motorist, Ms Monique Morris, has also witnessed this behaviour several times.

“It happens almost every morning and afternoon on Harris Road. As a female driver it is really scary,” said Ms Morris.

Ms Morris and Mr Padayachee called for violent behaviour by taxi drivers to stop.

“Why must we be scared to drive in Edenvale? We are driving on the right side of the road and the taxis are breaking the law by driving in oncoming traffic?” asked Ms Morris.

She added that on several occasions she was sworn at and threatened by taxi drivers when she refused to move over so that a taxi driving in oncoming traffic could pass.

Ward 18 councillor, Clr Heather Hart, called the behaviour of taxi drivers unacceptable.

“I trust that following this complaint, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) will more regularly patrol the area,” she said.

According to her, she had previously requested for increased patrols in the area.

The NEWS sent an enquiry regarding the incident, as well as a photograph of it, to the spokesperson for the EMPD, Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago for comment.

The NEWS was referred to Superintendent Vusi Mabanga and Inspector Kobedi Mokheseng for comment.

The NEWS sent the enquiry on Wednesday, January 16 and requested comment by Friday, January 17.

No comment was received.