Talks about taxi problems should solve issue

Several residents of Hazyview, particularly Vakansiedorp, expressed concerns about taxis illegally parking in Portia Shabangu Drive past the Hazyview Junction and Lowveld Mall shopping centres.

Rumours were soon doing the rounds that the local taxi association wanted to open a rank there, fuelling concerns that the convergence of taxis at the three-way stop between Kruger Park Lodge and the Lowveld Mall over the past few weeks was in fact more serious than originally perceived.

The traffic department was accused of not wanting to remove the illegally parked vehicles, but it seems to be more a case of taxi drivers or owners ignoring them and consistently coming back.

Residents were urged to lodge official complaints to force a formal investigation.

Following that, the Hazyview Chamber of Business and Tourism, however, responded that it has spoken to SAPS and Hazyview Traffic Department and received a positive response, despite being intimidated.

In a message to members, chairman Chris Harvie said they were going to follow correct channels to get action and were engaging by-law enforcement. They met with the taxi drivers’ representatives and SAPS on Monday and submitted objections through the correct channels.

That meeting would be followed by another in two weeks’ time.

Local residents and businessmen alleged that the purpose of the taxi drivers’ action seems to aim to intimidate commuters into using taxis instead of other forms of transport or private lifts.