Taxis resort to blockade over ‘illegal rivals’
MORE than 50 taxis blocked Steenberg Road to Westlake in protest against a rival taxi association they claim operate illegally.
Retreat Taxi Association (RTA) said the rival organisation, R52 Taxi Association, had been operating illegally in the area, seeking protection from a larger association situated outside Retreat.
RTA chairperson Basil Nagel said one taxi was damaged after being pelted with stones, and the driver and “guard” were taken to hospital.
He said the protest had otherwise been peaceful and no vehicles were obstructed.
“This was a peaceful protest where we showed the illegal operators we would not be intimidated and pushed officials to do their jobs. Taxis operating illegally and without the proper documentation should be acted against and law officials have been slack in doing so,” said Nagel.
He said continuous communication with the Department of Transport and Public Works, police and traffic officials had yet to yield results.
“We went as far as occupying their (Transport Department) offices to push them into action. They are constantly speaking of adhering to regulations and the law but are ineffective in implementing it,” said Nagel.
The rival taxi association, Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata), could not be reached for comment.
Transport Department spokesperson Byron le Hoe said it had been made clear to all operators that illegal operations and any criminal activity will not be allowed.
“Illegal operators in the area choose to operate illegally, either because their applications for operating licences were unsuccessful or they simply did not apply. Whereas associations and operators could hide behind the excuse of ‘ineffective regulations’ or ‘backlogs’ in the processing of operating licences in the past, no such backlogs currently exist,” said Le Hoe.
He said all associations in the area were reminded of their responsibilities and conditions attached to operating licences issued to them.