Overloaded taxi impounded
Amazingly, between 26 and 28 passengers, both young and old, were crammed into the Toyota Quantum minibus taxi.
More than 20 people were left stranded this morning (Tuesday) after RTI officers seized a taxi that was severely overloaded.
Amazingly, between 26 and 28 passengers, both young and old, were crammed into the Toyota Quantum minibus taxi.
Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officers impounded the vehicle and drove it to the RTI offices with all the passengers still onboard.
It is alleged that the taxi does not have a permit to operate on the route it was travelling. Speaking to the passengers, they told the Ladysmith Gazette how difficult it is for them to get transport in the Bluebank, Sunspruit, Bhaweni and Gqumaweni areas. One of them added that this particular taxi was the only one available, so they all climbed in even though they knew it was overloaded, illegal and potentially dangerous.
“We had no other option. We have been using this taxi for some time now. If a taxi is overloaded, the taxi people pile us into bakkies just to get to town.” The driver of the taxi fled the scene when stopped by RTI officers and is still at large. RTI has contacted the taxi association so as to get hold of the taxi owner to come and get the vehicle and transport the stranded passengers to their destinations.
