For more than two decades, the corner of Winnie Mandela Drive and Fourways Boulevard, near Fourways Mall, has served as an unofficial, but essential, holding area for Fourways’ taxi operators.
This week, that long-standing arrangement came to an abrupt end, when the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) cleared hawkers and taxis from the site, reigniting a long-standing dispute over the lack of permanent taxi infrastructure in the rapidly developing node.
Read more: Fourways taxi drivers plead for space after JMPD clears long-used holding area
What taxi drivers describe as a necessary service point has, over time, become a lifeline for commuters, small vendors, and support businesses, but JMPD maintains that operating in the area is illegal.
The clearance, however, has thrown a harsh spotlight on a deeper issue: The complete absence of a suitable taxi rank in Fourways, despite years of pleas from associations.
Mbuzeni Maxwell Mhlongo, of the Alexandra Taxi Association’s Fourways committee, said operators have been left stranded with nowhere to go. “We have been parking here for over 20 years. Now, we are removed without any formal space being provided. How are we meant to operate?”
When Fourways asked if the association is aware that operating there is illegal, he acknowledged that they are aware, but insisted they simply have no viable alternative.
“The rank provided by Fourways Mall is too small. It cannot handle the number of taxis working in this area. It gets so congested that one of our drivers fainted. It’s not safe.”
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According to Mhlongo, the Witkoppen Road bridge area has evolved into a functional micro-economy. Food vendors, car washes, and commuters all rely on the space. “We don’t have an issue with moving. The issue is, where must we move to?”
He said associations have repeatedly pushed for a dedicated taxi rank in Fourways, but progress has stalled for years. “The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has not been helping us at the ground level. Decisions are made at the office level, but nothing reaches us.”
Santaco spokesperson Sabata Mbobo confirmed that the problem has no immediate solution.
“There is no sufficient space for holding in that area. There used to be space on the mall’s rooftop, but after taxis were removed, it was turned into a tennis court. We are still trying to find an alternative holding space.”
The Fourways Review contacted JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla for comment, but nothing was received before going to print.
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