ActionSA strongly condemns the ongoing taxi violence that has claimed almost 30 lives to date. Whilst this matter unfolds, we urge the provincial government to take decisive steps to end this carnage and to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book and face the full might of the law.
Despite repeated promises of an integrated public system first made over 20 years ago, the provincial government is yet to make any meaningful strides towards achieving that. Whilst this system could have helped provide better a commuting experience and create economic opportunities, Gauteng residents are still exposed to a collapsed public transport service. With PRASA trains which used to transport the backbone of the working communities at reasonable fees taking forever to be reconstructed and the Bus Rapid Transit system in tatters, commuters are left at the mercy of the taxi industry at much great expense.
The department of transport has failed to ensure that taxi operators adhere to their allocated routes accordingly and such being enforced. The department should revert to clamping down on the aggressor operators and forcing them to operating on their routes as well as impounding taxis running in contravention of these regulations on their allocated routes.
There is also a clear lack of proactive policing from law enforcement, such as the JMPD and the Gauteng Traffic Police. The taxi industry has become a law unto themselves. Taxi violence not only exposes commuters but other road users to danger. Taxi patrollers are forcing passengers out of their private transport through intimidation. This unlawful conduct can not be condoned and should be addressed by law enforcement agencies as a matter of urgency.
ActionSA Gauteng Spokesperson on Community Safety, John Moodey MPL, believes that merely condemning these atrocious acts has failed in the past and will continue to fail unless the rule of law is enforced. Whilst the Portfolio Committee has requested a formal report from the Provincial Police Commissioner on the status and progress of investigations, we call for an immediate, actionable plan from the Executive and law enforcement leadership to address this matter and prevent further loss of lives.
With the economy stagnant and unemployment ever increasing, taxi operators are battling for their share of the diminishing ridership pie to save their businesses. In some instances, residents, especially low-income earners, spend as much as 50% of their gross salaries on transport. This high transport cost places a huge burden on the domestic budget and makes it difficult for households to survive in these hard economic times.
A fully functional, affordable public transport system is pivotal to economic growth in the province. Residents of Gauteng deserve public a transport system that is safe, reliable and adheres to the full prescript of the law. ActionSA will be following the ongoing engagements with a keen interest to ensure that residents experience safe journeys and taxis operate as per the set legal framework.
ActionSA Condemns Ongoing Taxi Violence, Calls for Urgent Interventions to End the Scourge
ActionSA strongly condemns the ongoing taxi violence that has claimed almost 30 lives to date. Whilst this matter unfolds, we urge the provincial government to take decisive steps to end this carnage and to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book and face the full might of the law.
Despite repeated promises of an integrated public system first made over 20 years ago, the provincial government is yet to make any meaningful strides towards achieving that. Whilst this system could have helped provide better a commuting experience and create economic opportunities, Gauteng residents are still exposed to a collapsed public transport service. With PRASA trains which used to transport the backbone of the working communities at reasonable fees taking forever to be reconstructed and the Bus Rapid Transit system in tatters, commuters are left at the mercy of the taxi industry at much great expense.
The department of transport has failed to ensure that taxi operators adhere to their allocated routes accordingly and such being enforced. The department should revert to clamping down on the aggressor operators and forcing them to operating on their routes as well as impounding taxis running in contravention of these regulations on their allocated routes.
There is also a clear lack of proactive policing from law enforcement, such as the JMPD and the Gauteng Traffic Police. The taxi industry has become a law unto themselves. Taxi violence not only exposes commuters but other road users to danger. Taxi patrollers are forcing passengers out of their private transport through intimidation. This unlawful conduct can not be condoned and should be addressed by law enforcement agencies as a matter of urgency.
ActionSA Gauteng Spokesperson on Community Safety, John Moodey MPL, believes that merely condemning these atrocious acts has failed in the past and will continue to fail unless the rule of law is enforced. Whilst the Portfolio Committee has requested a formal report from the Provincial Police Commissioner on the status and progress of investigations, we call for an immediate, actionable plan from the Executive and law enforcement leadership to address this matter and prevent further loss of lives.
With the economy stagnant and unemployment ever increasing, taxi operators are battling for their share of the diminishing ridership pie to save their businesses. In some instances, residents, especially low-income earners, spend as much as 50% of their gross salaries on transport. This high transport cost places a huge burden on the domestic budget and makes it difficult for households to survive in these hard economic times.
A fully functional, affordable public transport system is pivotal to economic growth in the province. Residents of Gauteng deserve public a transport system that is safe, reliable and adheres to the full prescript of the law. ActionSA will be following the ongoing engagements with a keen interest to ensure that residents experience safe journeys and taxis operate as per the set legal framework.