THE eThekwini Municipality has confirmed that its Metro Police Department has instituted an internal investigation into residents’ complaints about an ‘informal taxi rank’ that has mushroomed on Dumbarton Road in Westville.

Residents have raised complaints about taxis which park on the road, saying it has become an “informal taxi rank”, and that these taxis obstruct the view of oncoming traffic for other road users and residents entering or leaving their properties.

Residents have called for “no taxis” using the road as a parking or depot spot as they are of the view this increases the risks of accidents. They report that taxis start parking on the road at about 14:00 every day, with the Metro Police failing to bring it to an end.

According to the residents, there are no taxis when Metro Police officers are present on the road, but once they leave the taxis move in and park there.

Also read: Drastic increase of motor vehicle theft in Westville a concern

The area’s DA PR councillor Smoh Xulu said despite this issue not being under their “control” or “jurisdiction”, they have “brought these concerns to the Metro Police, and many residents have done the same”.

Xulu said there is a “need to balance enforcement with safety for everyone involved”.

The municipality’s spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said there is no formal or legal taxi rank on the road and there are no plans to build one in that location.

“Requests for taxi ranks are submitted to the Public Transport Infrastructure branch within the eThekwini Transport Authority. Each request is assessed based on land use, traffic flow, and transportation plans to determine the need and suitability for a rank in a specific area.

“As the current activity does not constitute a formal or legal rank, Metro Police is responsible for enforcing the relevant by-laws concerning illegal ranking. Metro Police is currently conducting an internal investigation, and further information will be shared once the process is complete,” said Sisilana.

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