October 31 2012 at 10:58am
INLSA
MEC STILL WORRIED: Bellville Taxi Association taxis blocked traffic while on their way to the protest in front of the traffic departments shadow testing centre.
Photo: Courtney Africa
Xolani Koyana
IN an attempt to have a ban on their operating licences lifted, taxi operators marched to the provincial registrar’s office yesterday.
But this is unlikely to happen after Transport and Public Works MEC Robin Carlisle said he was still not convinced taxi violence had abated.
Members of the Bellville Taxi Association caused congestion on the N2 and Vanguard Drive as about 70 taxis made their way to the provincial traffic department’s shadow testing centre in Athlone.
The association is demanding that provincial transport registrar, Mark Skriker, lift a freeze on the renewal of and processing of new operating licences.
Operators had driven from the Bellville taxi rank into Modderdam Road, and on to the N2 before entering Vanguard Drive.
A group of about 50 operators, with placards in hand, marched in front of the procession.
The police’s riot squad and tactical response unit, and metro police were on hand.
Police refused them permission to walk on the road before one protester was detained in a police van for “walking on the N2”. He was later released.
Infighting within the association, that has led to the deaths of four people, has forced Carlisle to bar the association from obtaining new or renewing licences.
Affected routes include Bell-ville, Durbanville, Bloekombos and Wallacedene.
A number of operators have also been injured and an apparent hitlist, naming 17 taxi operators to be killed, has come to light.
Yesterday, after the association’s leadership convened a meeting with Skriker, he told them to consider their demands.
The association’s acting chairman, Justice Ngubo, said Skriker had agreed to a meeting with them today to iron out issues.
Ngubo said the ban had forced some to operate illegally.
“We become victims of traffic officers because members are arrested and their vehicles impounded,” he said.
“Many of our members lose money because they can’t do long-distance trips, because their permits have been withheld by the registrar.
“We told the registrar and the MEC about the people who were involved in the violence, but they never acted against them. The violence is now over but there is still a suspension against us.”
Carlisle said they would respond to the memorandum within 48 hours, but it was unlikely that the suspension would be lifted.
“The situation has improved significantly but I’m still not satisfied. There are still things that are worrying us,” Carlisle said.
xolani.koyana@inl.co.za
