Authorities target hawkers and taxi drivers at Witkoppen Bridge
Taxi drivers and hawkers are upset after they were removed from the corner of Witkoppen and Winnie Mandela drives by law enforcement officers.
Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers, accompanied by security personnel from the Fourways Improvement District, descended upon the corner of Witkoppen Road and Winnie Mandela Drive, after Fourways Mall, on May 8, removing hawkers and taxi drivers parked in the area.
The operation, which was initiated by Ward 94 councillor David Foley, aimed to enforce law and order, and maintain cleanliness and safety in the area.
However, the move has flared outrage among taxi drivers, who claim they are being unfairly targeted, and lack support.
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“I don’t know where the police expect the taxis to park, because till now we don’t have a taxi rank in Fourways,” said Mbuzeni Maxwell Mhlongo, from Alexandra Taxi Association and the Fourways Committee spokesperson. “The rank that was provided to us by Fourways Mall is very small and cannot accommodate all our taxis, which has resulted in severe congestion. In fact, it is so crowded that one of our drivers fainted.“
Mhlongo said the parking by Witkoppen Bridge is close and accessible to people who use public transportation.
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“We also have car washes, and people who sell food for our taxi drivers. We don’t have a problem with moving, the problem is: Where are we supposed to move to?”
Foley said he approached Fourways Mall as part of the clean-up of Ward 94, to consider fencing off the area at the corner of Witkoppen and Winnie Mandela drives which is becoming a mini informal settlement.
“I discussed the clean-up required of the area, with the MMC of Public Safety, and he confirmed he would assist with the by-laws team when the fence was planned to be erected.
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“Fourways Mall had the fence approved and I was advised of the timeline when the fence will be erected. Go ahead was given for the fence this Thursday, so I aligned the JMPD team to assist.”
Foley added that the next area will be the corner of Winnie Mandela Drive and Fourways Boulevard, which completes the area around the mall, ensuring a safe, clean area to shop eat and play.
The JMPD’s Xolani Fihla could not respond at the time we went to press.
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