Uproar as ‘taxi rank’ displaces shoppers

Business and property owners at the Wierda Park shopping centre have raised concerns about the inadequate parking that has caused minibus taxis to park inside the centre.

The parking area currently dedicated to taxis on Ruimte Road, adjacent to the shopping centre, is insufficient.

Ward 70 councillor Marika Kruger-Muller explained that when the rank was established years ago, there weren’t as many taxis, but since their number of has increased significantly.

This has forced many taxis to park inside the shopping centre, resulting in complaints from business owners about their customers not having enough parking.

“On some days the parking area gets extremely full, and they do not have anywhere to park, which they believe is unfair as they have their own parking area,” said Kruger-Muller.

She said that the property in the middle of the shopping centre, which includes the parking area and the guard house, belongs to the Tshwane metro, while the different buildings housing businesses are owned by various property owners.

“During an on-site meeting with some of these business owners and property owners, a suggestion was made to lease or sell the guard house, as the property owners might have more suitable plans for it.”

However, Kruger-Muller noted the challenges that may arise.

“This is a topic that still needs to be discussed in our next meeting,” she added.

The councillor has also been in discussions with city officials about moving the fence next to the taxi rank to enlarge it, which could help prevent their parking in the centre.

Kruger-Muller said the toilets for taxi drivers are in a deplorable state, with some not even functioning, and the rubbish bins inside the shopping centre also require urgent attention.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said there is a need for a larger rank.

He said the metro is considering various solutions in collaboration with the business community, the Group Property Department, and taxi associations.

While the timeline for implementing these solutions will be determined once agreements are reached, Mashigo assured that the matter is being treated with urgency.

“The estimate of implementing the solution to the taxi parking concerns will be determined by the plans agreed upon by all stakeholders,” said Masigo.

“The Wierda Park restrooms used by the taxi drivers are scheduled for maintenance this financial [year] ending 2024/2025; however, the programme is behind schedule due to several challenges, including delays in awarding maintenance tenders.”

He added that it will be proposed that more personnel be employed for the upkeep of toilets.

Chairperson of the Zwanani Marabastad Taxi Association Mpho Motsepe expressed his satisfaction with the planned expansion of the parking space for taxis.

“At least we know that there won’t be a disturbance to the customers coming to the mall because the taxis will take up space on the other side of the complex.”

He hopes to build a better relationship between the taxi community, the councillor, and the business community at Wierdapark.

Motsepe suggested forming a committee to take responsibility for the taxi facilities and business facilities to ensure that same issues do not arise in the future.

However, he also raised concerns about the condition of the restrooms for taxi drivers, which he claims have been in disrepair for the past 10 years.

“The toilets need to be revamped. There are too many drivers for the small number of toilets,” he added.

Lufuno Tshivhase, the property manager of the building housing Wierdapark Butchery, highlighted the negative impact the taxis have on the centre.

“The number of taxis that park at the shopping centre has caused problems for businesses, while also making the area look untidy.

Some of our customers don’t feel safe,” she said.

She recounted how a tenant, who operated a karate school, left due to safety concerns, as parents felt uncomfortable waiting for their children outside.

“Sometimes even our customers get pickpocketed when they’re doing their shopping, and it’s usually the elderly people,” she added.

Tshivhase noted a significant drop in sales compared to the previous year, attributing it to safety concerns and the overall atmosphere created by the taxis and vagrants loitering in the area.

Business owner Morne Hattingh, who runs Buffalo’s, said the main problem is that the rank small hence the taxi drivers park near his shop.

He mentioned that sometimes his clients are unable to find parking, which leads to complaints about the lack of space.

Hattingh also identified other pressing issues, such as broken lamp posts in the parking area and the accumulation of litter.

“There’s no lighting in the parking area at night, and there are pieces of dustbins lying around.

One of my clients drove over one of these dustbins and damaged their car,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of addressing these concerns at an upcoming meeting with all business owners and property owners to discuss solutions moving forward.

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