Identification stickers for the safety of commuters

Mamelodi taxis – known as 4 + 1 taxi association – are putting identification stickers on the taxis for the safety of commuters.

This came after the association received a lot of complaints from commuters being robbed by people pretending to operate as taxis and robbing them of their belongings.

Chairperson of 4 +1 taxi association, Jabulani Mashiane said the introduction of the stickers was for the safety of commuters.

“The stickers will help commuters to identify our taxis from bogus or pirate taxis going around the community robbing unsuspecting commuters,” said Mashiane

The identification stickers programme was officially launched at the Tshwane taxi rank on Friday.

Mashiane called on all taxis to register and get new stickers at R150 each.

“If we start by identifying our own taxis it will help prevent criminal activities because the commuters will know the difference between registered taxi and the pirates,” he said.

Taxi operator, Lucky Nkana said he was happy with the identification stickers because most of the taxis operating in Mamelodi were common cars driven by almost everyone.

“The stickers will help commuters to identify which one is a taxi and which one is not and that includes identifying pirate taxis.

“Our commuters will no longer have fear when boarding a taxi at night after seeing the sticker.”

Thabo Ngwenya from 4 +1 taxi association said the body was formed in 2006 and has been battling to root out criminals.

“The identification stickers will help prevent criminals’ activities and as well as help to arrest bogus taxi drivers. We have received many complaints of robberies on taxis and passengers being raped by bogus taxi operators.

“We won’t allow those taxis to tarnish our good name and we will do anything to stop criminal activities.

“A taxi found operating without stickers will be impounded. There will be a heavy fine to pay and the taxi will be permanently removed from operating.”

Ngwenya said the identification stickers campaign will run until the first week of April and hopefully they would have reached the target of 700 taxis.

He said they were working hand-in-hand with Mamelodi Amalgamated Taxi Association and Mamelodi local and long-distance taxi association.

Commuter, Betty Mathebula said the identification stickers will help a lot, for example when a passenger left some goods in a taxi.

“We will be able to go to the association and identify the taxi and get our goods,” said Mathebula.

“The stickers came at the right time cause many people are being robbed in taxis and may not be able to identify the vehicle they were in. This will make it easier to report criminals.”

Silverton police spokesperson, Isaac Mcunu said they have not received any official complaints from commuters, but encouraged them to report any cases to the station.

“They should not be afraid to open a case. The police are here to help and protect them,” said Mcunu.

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