Taxi commuters unnerved by need for police, army presence
The taxi ranks were closed and several taxis were seized by police.
Police and SANDF presence at Port Shepstone and Margate taxi ranks have left many people, especially commuters feeling intimidated and petrified.
Both taxi ranks were visited by the police and army personnel last Thursday.
Some taxi drivers fled with their vehicles and some left without their taxis.
The taxi ranks were closed and several taxis were seized by police.
“We got scared when they just showed up because they made us lie down and searched us as if we had done something wrong,” said one driver who did not want to be named.
The South African National Taxi Council’s (Santaco) provincial office manager Sfiso Shangase said the South Coast region has had no leadership and they had to ask the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport to intervene. He said the department then sent the police to check the situation in Port Shepstone.
“The police operation was to ascertain if the taxis operating are supposed to be operational,” said Shangase.
It is believed that a certain group of taxi owners is forcefully taking over a long distance association.
When asked about the delay in taxi owners getting permits, he said there were challenges but they were being sorted out. He said that one of the main issues is that the owners are not submitting tax returns to SARS.
“We need to start treating the taxi industry as a business so that things can work smoothly. We are trying by all means to keep the situation calm in Port Shepstone and Margate.
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