February 12, 2003
By Thomas Thale
THE fallout between the Gauteng government and the taxi industry appears set to escalate, as taxi operators threaten a national strike while government vows to intensify its law enforcement drive.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, Khabisi Mosunkutu, MEC for Transport, warned that government "will take off the velvet glove" in its dealings with law-breaking taxi operators.
Hundreds of taxi operators, mostly members of Top Six organisation, went on a strike on Monday to protest against the impounding of their vehicles by provincial traffic authorities. They accused government of failing to issue them with permits and then impounding their vehicles for not having permits.
However, Mosunkutu dismissed these allegations and insisted that only vehicles that are not roadworthy had been impounded.
"Of the 167 minibuses that had been impounded, 79 have been released because they can be fixed. All 88 vehicles currently in the pond are not roadworthy," charged Mosunkutu.
He described these vehicles as "deadly hazards on other motorists, deathtraps and moving coffins". If I had the power to do so, Mosunkutu continued, "I would put them in a smasher, they are scraps".
Some of the vehicles could be released following representation from relevant taxi associations. In their correspondence, the associations have to undertake to see to it that the vehicles are repaired before they are allowed back on the road. The owners would have to pay the mandatory fine of R1 000 to get their vehicles back.
But Molefe Rapodile, spokesperson for Top Six, remained adamant that some vehicles were impounded for not having the correct permit. "I have proof. There are cars at the pound in Bedfordview which are in good condition but have been impounded."
Alfred Mohlala, control inspector at the Croesus Regional pound, said the campaign to impound taxis that are not roadworthy started on 11 January, and is to be intensified. "We are targeting all modes of public transport. You can expect more vehicles to be impounded as our campaign unfolds."
Mosunkutu lashed out at the Top Six leadership, accusing them of blocking highways during the Monday march and thus disrupting economic activity. "That's economic sabotage, we take a dim view of that." He vowed to hold them responsible for any damage to property emanating from the march.
He made it clear that relations between government and Top Six have been soured by the strike. "How can we trust them? We don't trust them, but that does not mean we won't talk to them. But they must know that you can't take on the State and do as you want," Mosunkutu warned ominously.
The intensification of law enforcement, Mosunkutu said, will affect not only road passenger transport but also flights and trains. The government will enforce a strict regime of road safety.
The clampdown will also be aimed at corrupt officials. "For two years we have been investigating syndicates which are linked to officials in the licensing department, and the role of driving schools," Mosunkutu said.
"Our investigations show that possibly over 80% of drivers' and vehicle licences have been obtained fraudulently. We will soon make announcements on steps to be taken against both the beneficiaries of the fraudulent activities and the perpetrators of these acts," he said.
Mosunkutu said this crackdown is part of the government's effort to reduce road accidents, which cost the economy 1,3-billion annually. He called on taxi owners to regulate themselves, make sure that their vehicles are in good working order, "that's non-negotiable", he said.
He also hailed the taxi industry as an example of black economic empowerment, saying the government must make sure that it doesn't fail, "but we must all act within the law".
Explaining the delay in the issuing of operating permits, Mosunkutu said his department had picked up major errors and even some fraudulent applications. Some of the vehicles, Mosunkutu said, had been stolen or their engines had been tampered with. This has been reported to associations. "Officials guilty of committing fraud will be dealt with," he warned.
Meanwhile, taxi operators maintained that government had six days to respond to their memorandum. "We are prepared for the national strike," Rapodile warned.
Up close with impounded vehicles
Vehicles which have been impounded are taken to Government ponds, where they are kept until the owners come to claim them. Altogether, there are five ponds in Gauteng. They are in Wattville, Pretoria, Bedfordview, Vereeniging and Croesus respectively.
To release their cars, owners are required to pay R1 000 pounding administration fee plus a further R1 000 fine. Some impounded cars lose their disks, in which case they have to be taken for a full roadworthy test before they can be licensed again.
Virtually all the vehicles at the Croesus pond are rickety affairs, rusted with paint peeling off. The seats cry out for upholstery. Some of the drivers' sits, although not strictly swivel chairs, can actually swivel round. Many have dysfunctional doors and some doors actually fell off. Many have plastics where their windscreens should be, but even those with proper windscreens. Others had cracked windscreens held together by tape.
