Killarney residents fed up as illegal taxi rank continues to spark chaos
Seventeen years of blocked garages, late-night parties, and unanswered pleas, Killarney residents say they’ve had enough of the illegal taxi rank outside the mall.
For more than seventeen years, residents of Killarney have been living with what they describe as daily chaos caused by the illegal taxi rank outside Killarney Mall.
From traffic gridlock and blocked garages, to late-night street parties and human waste on pavements, frustration has reached breaking point.
“It’s been twelve years of living with this nightmare on my doorstep,” said Ismail Randeree, a resident of Mentone Court. “We’ve tried everything, reporting it to JMPD, SAPS, mall security, and the ward councillor, but the problems persist.
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“It’s not just inconvenient; it’s undignified, for both residents and commuters. The taxis need proper facilities, but the city, and the mall, have done nothing to make that happen.”
Despite repeated complaints, residents say city officials have failed to act. “The city has not enforced by-law violations or followed up on the mall’s town planning obligations,” Randeree explained.
“The mall has also failed in its duty to provide a proper public transport facility with ablution blocks, which would move taxis off residential streets.”
Ward councillor Eleanor Huggett acknowledged residents’ frustrations, saying that years of slow responses from city departments have worsened the situation.
“We want answers, and we want action. The lack of proper facilities affects everyone, residents, commuters, and taxi operators alike. We need a long-term solution, not endless delays.”
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Residents now warn they may escalate the fight. Options include taking the issue to national media, boycotting the mall, or even organising street protests.
“We’ve been patient for far too long,” Randeree says. “If nothing changes, we’ll make ourselves heard.”
Without decisive action from the city, and the mall’s management, Killarney’s streets remain gridlocked… In more ways than one.
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