Taxi intimidation sparks fears for worker transport safety to Club Med construction site

Private companies transporting workers are facing harassment by armed men allegedly linked to the local taxi industry.

Earlier this week, construction workers from the Club Med Tinley Manor site were forced off contractor bakkies and left to walk home along the N2 highway in the dark.

Another incident was reported near the Umhlali robots last Wednesday where an illegal roadblock was conducted by men in unmarked vehicles.

The same vehicles have since been seen parked daily next to the highway between Ballito and Tinley Manor.

Dolphin Coast Taxi Association spokesperson, Richard David, neither confirmed nor denied the accusations.

He highlighted ongoing concerns about the unsafe use of bakkies to transport workers, saying they had been repeatedly assured that law enforcement would take action.

“Yet, we see no action. We had a meeting on Tuesday with the provincial police commissioner, and another meeting is planned,” said David.

The Club Med Tinley Manor development team released a statement, confirming that a Community Stakeholder Forum – including local councillors, traditional leaders, and the taxi association – was established in early 2024 to address local labour sourcing and transport.

“No incidents had been reported on or near the site until Wednesday, May 28, when disruptions were reported along the provincial road between the N2 and the site,” reads the statement.

“These appear to be the work of a rogue group within the local taxi association.”

They said the developers were engaging with the forum and police to prevent future incidents. No incidents have occurred on the construction site itself, which remains secure.

“All site workers have their transport costs covered and many local staff choose to walk. The developer maintains a commitment to legal, safe transportation and insists all contractors meet these standards.”

The taxi association has previously drawn criticism for attempting to block firms from transporting workers in goods vehicles and for allegedly extorting e-hailing drivers.

The National Road Traffic Act prohibits the transport of paying passengers in goods compartments and lays out safety regulations for non-paying passengers. While the National Land Transport Act exempts employer-arranged staff transport from needing operating licences, it places responsibility on employers to meet all legal conditions.

Enforcement is mandated to formal bodies such as Saps, the Road Traffic Inspectorate and KwaDukuza municipality’s community safety division.

iLembe Chamber CEO Cobus Oelofse stressed that enforcement should remain the responsibility of the authorities.

“All entities must comply with the guidelines – and, importantly, leave enforcement to entities that are mandated to enforce public transport rules,” said Oelofse.

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