Taxi drivers in the CBD say they have been waiting in vain for law enforcement to fix Brown Street for good.
This follows a clash between taxi drivers and drug addicts also known as ‘nyaope boys’ at the end of May.
The drivers said they have had enough of drugs being sold in broad daylight on the corner of Brown and Lilian Ngoyi streets and the police doing nothing about it.
“We took the matter into our own hands because passengers were being robbed of their goods and making them feel unsafe,” said a driver adding his passengers were afraid of walking the street.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Taxi drivers want Bheki Cele to help fix Brown Street in Pta CBD
Brown Street has in the past few years gained notoriety as a hotbed of criminal activity…from drug peddling to prostitution in dilapidated buildings.
The taxi drivers are now concerned that although the street is clean during the day, the problem starts after 19:00.
“The SAPS promised that together with the TMPD and other stakeholders they will meet with us to come up with a permanent solution but we have been waiting in vain,” said another driver who wished to remain anonymous.
Police spokesperson Captain Augustinah Selepe said she was unaware of the planned meeting but would follow up with the relevant people.
ALSO READ: Police descent on drug infested Brown Street
She had previously told Rekord SAPS and Tshwane law enforcement would “regularly” raid the area.
A taxi queue marshal, who only identified himself as Mr Mahlane, told Rekord the police were not doing their job.
“All police did was to take bribes in the mornings and evening – and no arrests were made,” he said.
“Drug dealers sold the drugs right in front of the police; so we decided to take it upon ourselves to rid the street of the thugs.
“Our people [taxi commuters] are safe now.”
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