Time for polite rhetoric is over

I have been belabouring the issue of the taxi accidents in this column for the past two weeks and here is my final input.

The absurd comments emanating from various individuals, who have the capacity to make a difference, suggest that there is absolutely no commitment to resolve a problem that is escalating out of control.

As I have said before, there is a lack of leadership and all we hear are niceties like “requesting” taxi drivers to drive roadworthy vehicles, adhere to the laws of the road and refrain from killing their rivals while the owners are untouchable and have never been prosecuted. The Courier of September 11 once again highlighted this absurdity when MEC Willies Mchunu endeavoured to resurface the road over the bridge where 16 commuters were recently killed and erect a speed limit sign of 60km per hour. Right – that is going to make a huge impression on the cowboy drivers.

An article in the Weekend Argus of Cape Town, dated September 12 by William Saunderson- Meyer in his Jaundiced Eye column, makes the following observations regarding the taxi industry:

‘It is a violence-ridden, poorly regulated, Mafia-like monstrosity, rampaging through South African society.

‘An Automobile Association study found that there are 70,000 minibus taxi accidents annually, which is double the rate of crashes for all other passenger vehicles.

‘Behind this bloody carnage lurks the reality of poor law enforcement. Whether it be fear, corruption or the instructions of their political masters – as when Ethekwini’s mayor, in response to rioting minibus drivers, recently released without fines 44 impounded unroadworthy or unregulated taxis – the industry gets away with murder and mayhem.’

Saunderson-Meyer also quotes Mr. Ronald Swartz, head of the Gauteng Roads and Transport Department as having recently ‘told a portfolio committee meeting that the taxi industry has been infiltrated and manipulated by police officers who themselves own taxis and collude with provincial officials to flout the law. There is a huge racket in fake licences but not a single arrest or prosecution.’

Apparently the Transport Minister, Dipuo Peters recently confirmed a death toll of 5 433 in the months from April – August 2015. That is an average of 36 deaths per day – or to put into perspective – equivalent to the destruction of 18 Jumbo jets and their full complement of passengers in five months. An outrage!

I would make an analogy to the Mexican drug cartels who have a similar modus operandi. The politicians and law enforcement are the drivers of this profitable industry and rival factions and gangs conduct a turf warfare that is brutal and deadly. Commuters and innocent motorists are the victims. This was also highlighted in RW Johnson’s disturbing recent bestseller entitled “How Long Will South Africa Survive?” – which confirms that the taxi industry is controlled by some extremely well connected individuals.

The time for street signs and polite rhetoric is over.

CLAUDIO FERRI

Zimbali