Taxi association chairman warns members not to scrap their vehicles if they cannot pay installments
“We want our members to know that if they are facing financial problems to pay monthly installments on their newly bought taxis, they should report to us as an association to see how we can help,” said Fanyana Sibanyoni.
The Vukanini Taxi Association (Vukta) is concerned about its members accused of writing off their taxis before it can be repossessed by the bank for non-payment of monthly instalment.
Speaking at the association’s annual general meeting that was held at the Lillian Ngoyi Centre in Secunda, Vukta chairman, Fanyana Sibanyoni, warned members to refrain from this tendency, otherwise his association will also scrap their membership.
“Out of all the good things that happened in our association this year, we were also faced with challenges, including some members who scrapped their vehicle or stripped it for parts, well-knowing the vehicle was to be repossessed for non-payment of the installments.
“These actions are now making it difficult for other members to get new taxis without paying a huge deposit upfront,” explained Sibanyoni.
ALSO CHECK: Federation accuses municipality of renting out theatre
“We have taken a resolution that if we find out a member has done such a thing, the association will seize that person’s membership, because what they are doing, affects other members who want to buy new taxis.
“We want our members to know that if they are facing financial problems to pay monthly installments on their newly bought taxis, they should report to us as an association to see how we can help,” said Sibanyoni.
Sibanyoni further told the assembly that the association has been scammed out of R60 000 when a member reported that his taxi was repossessed. This member provided them with an account into which money was to be paid.
ALSO CHECK: Span deel geskenkbokse uit by Laerskool Trichardt se koshuis
Sibanyoni said the leadership realised later that they had been scammed. He said they have now lost money plus a taxi.
Sibanyoni warned their members to be careful of scammers.
“We encourage our members not to wait until their installments escalated. They should come to our offices and we will pay their installments and see on how the member can repay the association.”
Sibanyoni said part of their achievements is that the association managed to put in new taxi engines, tyres and fixed taxi seats for those members who could not afford it.
He also said beneficiaries who collect grocery packets at the eMbalenhle taxi rank, have decrease from 165 to 150 families.
