Taxi association warns commuters about bogus taxis

Residents are urged by the association to always be alert and analyse minibus taxis before boarding.

August 27, 2019

Puleng Sekabate 1 minute read

Themba Mkhonto, Kempton Park Taxi Association public relations officer, shows where the association's sticker is placed at the back of a registered taxi. The association warns community members about bogus minibus taxis operating in the Kempton Park and Tembisa areas.

Kempton Park Taxi Association (KETA) warns community members about bogus minibus taxis operating in Kempton Park and Tembisa.

According to Themba Mkhonto, KETA’s public relations officer, occupants of these minibus taxis rob unsuspecting victims.

“We have been made aware of illegally operating minibus taxis that pose as normal taxis and allow passengers to board,” said Mkhonto.

“The minibus taxi is driven to a certain area, far from where the passenger/s requested, and on arrival the passengers are robbed of their belongings. In some cases female passengers are raped.

“This is bad because we have heard of a number of such incidents.”

Mkhonto said the vehicles in question are alleged to be using false stickers or no stickers at all.

“We urge commuters to be on the lookout for these vehicles. All our taxis have stickers with a number on them. That is one of the things to check before you get into a taxi,” said Mkhonto.

“The sticker is blue and yellow and has a number on top. With the number on the sticker, we are able to identify the owner of the vehicle. Our stickers appear on the front and back of each taxi registered with the association.”

Both the front and left stickers are found on the left side of the taxis. Mkhonto also said the bogus taxis operate late in the evening.