Fired-up to get answers about the invasion of taxis in Paradise, irate residents from Ward 4 convened at the town hall on Wednesday evening to attend a public meeting called by ward councillor, Tanya de Jager.
Adding insult to injury, Cllr de Jager failed to make an appearance at the very meeting she had convened, but Cllr Bertie Meiring apologised on her behalf, claiming she was ill.
Residents were up in arms because taxi drivers were parking along Sutherland Street, and also along Lincoln Street, causing traffic congestion, violating traffic rules, and harassing pedestrians, while a holding bay for taxis, not loading passengers, was under construction.
“The taxi saga has been ongoing since last year and it needs to be addressed. People’s lives are in danger!” exclaimed Rajesh Ramdaw, of the Democratic Alliance Ward 4 committee.
“The taxis are ranking there illegally and we would like to know what is being done about it,” demanded Imran Keeka, member of Provincial Parliament and Amajuba Constituency Head of the DA. and a Paradise resident.
Neelakanden (Sunny) Chetty asked if the municipality had followed the correct protocol and had the area officially re-zoned to house the taxi rank extension.
“I would like to know why traffic officers are allowing it and where the expenditure came from to build it,” he said.
Cllr Bertie Meiring undertook to approach the mayor to resolve the problem.
“I will need to discuss the issue with the mayor to see what can be done and find out if the correct protocol was followed. We will also need to get to the origin of the problem to see how it can be resolved,” he said.
However, Mark Jacobs, a Paradise resident, suggested that in the interim, a resolution should be brought forward to stop taxis from entering the suburb.
“I suggest that cement blockades be erected to stop the taxis from entering Paradise.”
While admitting it was a good idea, Mr Chetty said the project would need to be addressed with the relevant authorities to see whether it would be feasible.
As the holding bay was still under construction and residents wary about the consequences of it, Vusi Mboyana, Director of Civil Services, said the project was nearing completion.
“The project entails the clearing of top soil, importing material for the base layer and stabilising it and a 30mm thick asphalt surface.”
At the moment, progress showed the fencing was 90 per cent complete, the site clearance was at 100 per cent completion and the base layer was at 80 per cent.
“There has not been any major delays on the project, except for the December holiday and inclement weather we experienced towards the end of December and early January,” Mr Mboyana said.
In terms of traffic flow, Ashok Anandhaw, Protection Services Chief Traffic Officer, assured law enforcement was conducted daily.
“Drivers who transgress road traffic rules and are detected are charged. We have also raised such concerns at Taxi Forum meetings and encouraged the chairpersons and the executive members of the respective taxi associations to foster a culture of compliance among their drivers,” he said.
Chief Anandhaw explained vehicles would be parked within the demarcated area only once the project was complete, thereby resolving the traffic flow issue.
Cllr Meiring assured Paradise residents that he would not let the matter rest and as soon as he had further information, he would notify the community.
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