KURUMAN

Police intervene as conflict rises over taxi routes

Victor Mulangisi

As taxi business is shrinking, there has been a number of clashes among operators and taxi drivers due to route conflicts.

Another ensuing challenge, is the growing number of unregistered taxis who also want to eke a living.

A weeklong programme to zero the ensuing challenges was launched by the SAPS on November 05, 2020 along the R31 road to ensure that only registered taxis use their permits on the routes assigned to them. Any deviation of the stipulated regulations that govern the permit conditions, is considered a serious offence. Speaking to Constable Tshepo Thae from Kimberley, he said that there is an increase in the in-fighting as a result of route conflicts in Kuruman.

“Incidents of conflicts in this sector have become a national problem where others want to harvest where they did not sow. Taxi drivers are advised to use their permitted routes to avoid clashes with fellow drivers. We also check the validity of route permits. Some taxi owners do not renew their permits to justify encroaching onto others’ routes, the source of conflict.

 This is also a busy festive season where we concurrently check the roadworthiness of vehicles on the road and drivers’ licences to ensure safety is guaranteed to drivers and their respective passengers. Overloading by taxi drivers as a means of maximizing profits is also a very serious matter. We are in the pandemic era where we should observe the protocols of the Covid-19”.

This intervention could not have come at a more opportune time as drivers spend most of their time cleaning their taxis because business has slumped considerably. The lure by the busier route has been the source of rivalry in the taxi industry causing undeserved fatalities. Over loading of passengers during the lockdown is seen as a promoter in the spread of the Covid -19.

2582 Traffic officer checking route permits along the R31 highway