Efforts to clamp down on illegal taxi activity along Winnie Mandela Drive appear to be gaining momentum, with the Gauteng department of roads and transport indicating to the local authority that physical barriers may soon be installed at a problematic intersection.

This follows sustained pressure from Ward 94 councillor David Foley, who has repeatedly raised concerns about taxis, private cars, and hawkers taking over the Winnie Mandela Drive intersection near Uranium Street, and encroaching onto pedestrian walkways.

Read more: Taxi association blames lack of alternative for parking on Winnie Mandela Drive

In correspondence seen by Fourways Review, the department confirmed to Foley that it is working on sourcing material to barricade the section from hawkers and taxis parking or driving on the sidewalk. Proposed measures include the installation of concrete or steel barriers, as well as bollards, to prevent vehicles from accessing restricted areas.

The developments mark a significant step forward in a long-running issue that Foley has actively confronted on the ground.

In October last year, the councillor made headlines when he physically intervened at the intersection, placing himself on the pedestrian walkway to stop taxis from using it as an illegal lane. Despite facing mixed reactions from drivers, ranging from apologies to hostility, his actions prompted some to change their behaviour.

Foley did not hold back at the time. “I’m looking at the behaviour of taxis. Not only taxis, other drivers as well. You can see down the road, here is the pedestrian and cyclists’ roadway, and they’re supposed to be protected.”

He added that the scale of the problem was alarming. “Already today we’ve seen about five, ten, even fifteen taxis trying to drive on the walkway.”

Foley also pointed to the real danger posed to the public, citing a recent incident where a pedestrian was knocked down and assaulted by a taxi driver. “That is unacceptable.”

He said that the infrastructure was designed to protect vulnerable road users, not to be repurposed by impatient motorists. “We’re trying to build a safe lane here for cyclists and pedestrians, but, instead, taxis think they can create another lane out of it, which cannot be allowed.”

Also read: Councillor leads crackdown on illegal taxis, hawkers, and adverts

Following engagements with provincial authorities, Foley said he had pushed for more permanent safety measures, including railings to safeguard pedestrians. “Negotiations are underway, and we hope this can be resolved soon. The safety of pedestrians in Johannesburg must be a top priority.”

When asked to confirm the plan to install barriers on the road, King Mthombeni, from the Gauteng roads and transport department, said: “Please note that we were advised that your inquiry below, which was brought to our attention yesterday (March 26), is a law enforcement issue and would therefore need to be directed to the Gauteng department of community safety (GDCS)/Gauteng Traffic Police and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD).”

Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson Sello Maremane redirected our media query to the metro police, as he said it falls within their area of jurisdiction.
JMPD’s Xolani Fihla is yet to comment. An update will be provided once the response has been received.

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