Transport committee set up after outcry over Dolphin Coast taxis holding illegal road blocks

The Dolphin Coast Taxi Association has been conducting illegal roadblocks, and allegedly threatening drivers transporting their own staff to work.

Dolphin Coast Taxi Association spokesman Siyabonga Ntombela admitted that members had pulled over private bakkies transporting company workers in Shakaskraal last week Wednesday “to protect taxi industry jobs.”

This was repeated numerous times over the past 3 weeks.

Business owners objected to what they claimed to be unlawful tactics, but Ntombela defended the action, saying the transport of commuters was their domain and the taxi association could not allow anyone to interfere with its business.

“Like any business, when something or someone negatively affect your business, you have got to do something about it.

“Besides, the law stipulates certain safety measures for bakkies transporting people. In this case, none of the safety measures were met,” said Ntombela.

Reports of a driver being stabbed during Wednesday’s confrontation was refuted by Ntombela. Police confirmed that they did not believe the report to be accurate.

A Ballito businessman, who asked not to be named, said he had 14 workers living in Shayamoya and Nkobongo townships for whom he provided transport to get to work and return home, which he reiterated was perfectly legal.

He was called by one of his drivers last Wednesday who said he had been assaulted by taxi owners and had his vehicle’s keys taken.

“When I arrived there, I noticed that between 30 and 40 bakkies had been pulled over by the taxi members.

“I was told we were taking their jobs, but I explained that was not the case as we do not make any money from transporting our employees.

“I have 14 workers and have to send three to four bakkies to pick them up. I am not gaining anything from that,” said the businessman.

He said his intimidated employees were now forced to commute by taxis and had to walk kilometres to their worksite, often making them late.

“It is such an inconvenience for them since certain areas are not on taxi routes, but because of last week’s threats they are now fearful of taking a lift from our bakkies.”

The illegal roadblocks caused an outcry among business owners and rural safety initiative Ihawu Lethu chairperson, Craig Slevin, called for an urgent meeting last week to address the issue.

Ihawu Lethu, the iLembe Chamber, Saps and the Dolphin Coast Taxi Association issued a joint statement on the outcome.

Slevin said the purpose of the meeting was to explore solutions to the problem involving all parties to ensure the matter did not escalate to a point where business operations and public safety were compromised.

“It was stressed that in the current economic climate, our region can ill afford any negative impact on business. A representative of the transport department reiterated and clarified legislation and regulations pertaining to the transport of passengers or employees.

“Communication channels between relevant stakeholders have been formalised through the establishment of a transport committee under the mandate of the iLembe district police, where concerns or complaints from any party can be raised and escalated,” said Slevin.

He said police again emphasised their commitment to enforce the rule of law, and specifically the policing of transport regulations.

Saps said no one was above the law and no one may take the law into their own hands.

“In a spirit of collaboration, stakeholders committed themselves to direct complaints and communication through this transport committee as the legitimate and mandated authority managed by the iLembe district police and KwaDukuza municipality. In addition to creating a channel for liaison, compliance and enforcement of relevant laws and regulations will be prioritised by the transport committee,” said Slevin.

Stakeholders raised some practical constraints and challenges to be considered, such as issues impacting on business productivity, employee welfare, affordability, convenience of commuters and the capacity challenges of both Saps and the municipality.

The Road Traffic Act’s regulation 247 states that no person shall carry people in a goods compartment of a vehicle for hire and reward.

The Act further determines that if one transports people or workers without reward in a goods compartment, the following rules apply – if the person is seated the sides must be of a height not less than 350mm, while the minimum height is 900mm for standing passengers.

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