The traffic services department has once again been asked to act against taxi drivers who break the laws of the road.
Ward councillors were discussing the report for the traffic services for the month of June and July at the Subcouncil 3 meeting held on Thursday last week when a representative was asked to stop a series of infringements in Panorama and Plattekloof, Milnerton and Dunoon.
Cheryl Visser, Councillor for Ward 1 (Plattekloof, Panorama, Welgelegen, Kleinbosch and Sonnendal), was the first to highlight some of the issues, after she had received several complaints of taxis transgressing.
“This morning (Thursday 17 August) we had an incident of a taxi reversing into a streetlight. We ask residents to please log a call as it is impossible for traffic officials to be everywhere, so we need to be supportive,” she said.
Phindile Maxiti, Subcouncil chair, concurred. He said people must report these types of incidents, as they cannot allow illegal activity to take place. “It was not allowed before the strike and should still not be allowed. There is no moratorium,” said Maxiti.
Bus lanes used by taxis
Anthony Benadie, councillor for Ward 4 (Milnerton), said in his area one of the biggest problems they sit with are taxis that make use of the red MyCiti bus lane, especially down Koeberg Road, Omuramba Road and Montague Drive.
“On the Montague Gardens Safety Group yesterday (Wednesday 16 August), there were five such incidents. They record it, but we need more traffic services in the bus lane particularly.
“Yesterday in Koeberg Road I saw two taxis nearly cause an accident. Where the City is busy with construction of sewer pipes, there is an informal taxi stop,” said Benadie.
Meisie Makuwa, councillor for Ward 104 (Dunoon), said her concern is people who own businesses in her area who often get robbed along Potsdam Road and Malibongwe Drive. She asked for a stronger presence of officers.
Makuwa also thanked the traffic services for assistance during the recent violent taxi strike. Dunoon was one of the areas hit hard by violent protest, and Makuwa herself came under attack. She said in some cases young children were throwing stones at cars.
“I want to thank the services, they did very well, and I applaud them. They saved lives, and we had no fatalities,” said Makuwa.
She added: “We only had stones thrown at cars, which we do not condone. I was stoned myself by the community, young kids,” she said.
Makuwa asked however for more awareness in the area and indicated that talks should be held with community leaders during the strike periods.
“We need to take charge, to not allow people to throw stones.”
Patrols on Potsdam, Malibongwe, N7
Arno Schrönen, chief inspector at the City of Cape Town’s traffic services, thanked Makuwa and indicated that they do conduct daily patrols on Malibongwe Drive, Potsdam Road and the N7 highway.
“It is not the motorists alone, it is the pedestrians, the people who stay in the area who are also victims of these crimes,” he said.
He also assured councillors Visser and Benadie.
“We do have transport enforcement units available, and we will bring it to their attention, we will endeavour to have our patrols on the red routes as well. With regards to the informal taxi stop, we see that as an obstruction and we will give them a fine and will continue with that,” said Schrönen.
