THURSDAY, 4.00PM
THE Gauteng provincial legislature on Thursday promulgated a new acvt enabling authorities to take harsh action to put an end to taxi violence, and the provincial government has already begun to implement stern measures against taxi operators involved in violence, according to Gauteng safety and security MEC Jessie Duarte.
Duarte said the measures include a registration system demarcating routes and ranks. Operators failing to comply will have their vehicles impounded, while those involved in violence will be banned from operating.
“The Act empowers police to impound any taxi driven by violators as well as to stop taxis and conduct searches at random. Increased visibility of security forces is also being worked out. Joint road blocks will be set up to ensure the taxi industry complies with the new regulations,” said Duarte.
Permit stickers will be affixed to each individual taxi. The provincial transport department will fix registration stickers, while a second sticker will be issued by the local authority giving the taxi access to taxi ranks. Policing of the regulations will be undertaken by traffic authorities and the police. The department of transport will also have its own inspectorate.
Gauteng’s move on taxi violators will be duplicated by the North-West provincial government, Duarte said.
Provincial authorities last week closed two taxi ranks near Soshanguve, where close to 20 people have died in taxi-related violence this year.