Newcastle Meter Taxi Association welcomes slam on ‘illegal drivers’

This move follows a protest in January by meter taxi drivers, who accused e-hailing drivers of operating without the necessary permits or registration. The drivers argued that the unregulated e-hailing services were encroaching on their business, affecting their livelihoods by operating illegally in the area.

Nkosinathi Zithe, the treasurer of SANTACO Newcastle, said many of these e-hailing vehicles are unlicensed and unregistered bypassing the stringent requirements set by local authorities for public transport vehicles. He emphasized that his members could not allow unlicensed and unregistered vehicles to transport passengers, as this posed serious safety risks and undermined the legal taxi services in the area. The primary goal of the protest, according to Zithe, was to ensure the safety of passengers and to protect the community’s interests by ensuring that only registered, licensed, and safe transport options were available.

Following the protest, Zithe confirmed that the Department of Community Safety and Liaison, along with the South African Police Service (SAPS), had agreed to investigate their concerns. The authorities assured the drivers that they would need some time to assemble a team tasked with addressing the illegal operation of e-hailing services in the area.

This past week the municipality took a decisive step by issuing an official notice to the public, warning the public that anyone found using e-hailing services operating without a valid permit or license would face severe consequences.

According to the communications unit, the municipality issued the notice in terms of section 50 of the National Land Transport Act 5 of 2009, which states that vehicles used for e-hailing services without proper documentation would be impounded.

The municipality stressed that vehicles operating in areas not designated for e-hailing would also be confiscated pending investigations.

Any drivers caught operating illegally would be required to pay fines before their vehicles would be returned. This proactive approach by the municipality aims to curb the increasing number of unlicensed e-hailing vehicles operating in the area and restore order to the local transport sector.

Reaction has been varied

The action taken by the municipality has been widely praised by the Newcastle Meter Taxi Association. The association not only supported the municipality’s stance but also issued its own notice, reinforcing the importance of adhering to the law. The association made it clear that any individuals found operating e-hailing services without a valid license would face immediate consequences, including being apprehended by members of the association through a citizen’s arrest and handed over to the police.

While meter taxi operators have welcomed the municipality’s actions, they have sparked a broader debate within the community. Many residents expressed dissatisfaction with the regulations, arguing that they are unfairly penalizing individuals who are simply trying to make a living in difficult economic times. Some residents, who chose to remain anonymous, shared their frustration over the lengthy and complicated process required to obtain a taxi permit.

One resident, who currently uses an e-hailing service to transport children to school, pointed out that the operator had been waiting for years for a permit and felt that the municipality’s stance discriminates against people who are trying to create their own employment opportunities.

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