The Vosloorus, Boksburg District Taxi Association (VBDTA) warns commuters to be extra alert when boarding taxis.
This comes after the recent rape of a 15-year-old learner, who told police she was raped by the driver of a minibus taxi she boarded in Witfield en route to Dunswart.
The rape forms part of a series of attacks against commuters reported to the police in Boksburg. Following the latest incident, the Advertiser approached VBDTA for comment.
Paul Magolego, PRO for the association, said they are aware of reports of commuters who were reportedly attacked by people driving in a kombi, believed to be taxi operators within their operating areas.
“As the association, we are doing everything in our power to track down these imposters carrying out criminal activities in their area.
“We are working with the police to bring to book the so-called taxi operators who are terrorising our commuters.
“Such incidents tarnish the reputation of our industry. Our taxis are supposed to be a safe space for commuters until they reach their destinations,” said Magolego.
He shared that, last year, it was brought to their attention that a gang of criminals driving in a white Toyota Quantum had been carrying out a series of robberies within the association’s routes.
“After weeks of tracking down that Quantum, we spotted it around East Rand Mall but it fled after realising we were approaching them.
“Such criminal activities stopped in our area, apparently because they discovered we were after them.”
Commuters are urged to avoid taxis without taxi association stickers on the windscreen and the back of the taxi.
VBDTA’s sticker is yellow, displaying the association’s logo and taxi number.
“As an association, we have also discovered many of our commuters don’t report their grievances. They keep quiet, which makes it difficult for us to deal with unruly taxi drivers.”
Magolego said commuters can contact him on 064 910 7933 to lodge a taxi-related complaint.
Millions of people use taxis daily to get to work or school, but some have complained they have fallen prey to criminals who target them while travelling in ‘taxis’.
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