Taxi driver threatens mother and children
Mr Ricky Correia said the authorities have to do something “before people start taking the law into their own hands”.
An Edenvale father is furious after his wife and two children were threatened by taxi drivers on Laurie Road.
Mr Ricky Correia said the authorities have to do something “before people start taking the law into their own hands”.
The incident took place on Friday morning.
“My wife Samantha was taking our five and six-year-old boys to school and the traffic was at a standstill on Laurie Road, as it normally is,” said Mr Correia.
He added that his wife had stopped at the intersection of Bryant and Laurie roads wanting to turn right into Laurie Road.
“A taxi decided to turn into Bryant Road towards her, in essence he was driving on the wrong side of the road.
“The driver expected Samantha to reverse, which she could not, and should not do, because there were cars behind her. He then proceeded to threaten her with a knobkerrie,” said Mr Correia.
He added that the incident scared his wife and children.
“This lawlessness cannot be allowed to continue,” he said.
Last week the NEWS reported that unruly taxi drivers continued their rampage and abusive behaviour towards motorists on Harris and Laurie roads.
Taxi drivers were threatening motorists with weapons.
Using knobkerries, taxi drivers intimidate oncoming motorists to move off the road or face injury.
“If motorists in the oncoming lanes do not allow the taxis to pass, the drivers use the knobkerries to smash and damage windscreens,” said Edenvale resident, Mr Kesigan Padayachee.
Another motorist Ms Monique Morris concurred with the statements made and said she feared for her safety as a female motorist.
“They drive into Laurie Road from the side streets to skip past all the traffic,” said Ms Morris.
“As soon as someone, me in this case, tries to block them from pushing into the traffic, they threaten to stab you with knives and damage your car with knobkerries and iron bars,” said Ms Morris.
The NEWS has yet to receive feedback on the matter from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD).
At the time the NEWS received the first complaints, an enquiry as well as photographs were sent 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.
At the time of going to print on February 3, no comment was received.
