December 8, 2004
By Thomas Thale
FIFTY-SEVEN taxis were impounded in Diepsloot, north west of the city, in a joint operation on Tuesday by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), the SA Police Service and the Gauteng Transport Department.
The action was part of a major ongoing offensive against taxis operating illegally in the area.
Many of the taxis were impounded for being unroadworthy, operating without permits or for operating unlawfully on the route. Commuters were offloaded on the R-511, on the outskirts of the township, and refunded their fares before the taxis were impounded.
JMPD spokesman, Superintendent Wayne Minnaar, said the roadblock was part of Operation Token Days, an ongoing multi-agency anti crime campaign unveiled by Mayor Amos Masondo in October. Diepsloot is one of the major hotspots identified for attention in the 500-day campaign.
The area has been the scene of ongoing violence between members of the Diepsloot and Diepnooit Taxi Associations. In June, the Gauteng Transport Department banned the Diepnooit Taxi Association from operating in the area, but the association has ignored this, leading to rising tensions between the two bodies.
SAPS spokesman, Superintendent Morne van Wyk, said Tuesday's roadblock sought to "remove illegally operating taxis, which contribute to violence among taxi operators". Van Wyk said apart from impounding taxis, officers were also conducting normal policing duties, searching vehicles and individuals. One suspected stolen vehicle was found and a suspect arrested, he said.
He described the roadblock as a "multi disciplinary, cross-border operation" to clamp down on crime.
Impounded vehicles were taken to the car pound in Croesus. Minnaar said vehicle owners would have to pay a minimum fine of R1200 to get their vehicles back.
Diepsloot resident, Simon Makwela, who had paid R4 to travel from Fourways, was ecstatic at getting a refund. "It is nice to get a free taxi ride. We don't know which taxi to trust. Illegal taxis must be taken off the road. If we are involved in an accident, we won't be covered by insurance."
Local taxi operators expressed mixed feelings about the clampdown. Levy Maphella, a member of the Diepsloot Taxi Association, welcomed the removal of Diepnooit taxis from the area, but expressed frustration that taxis without permits were also impounded. "We buy taxis every week and we have instalments to pay. We can't wait such a long time to get a permit."
According to Minnaar, close on 1 800 taxis have been impounded since Operation Token Days was launched at the end of October. Over 73 000 vehicles have been stopped and 40 000 people searched at roadblocks set up at various spots in the city, resulting in 160 arrests.
Minnaar said some 147 671 speedsters had been captured after being caught on cameras mounted around the city. A further 18 408 were caught on camera not stopping at traffic lights. He put the number of tickets issued for cars with defects at 2938.
In another crime busting exercise, Operation NightLife, 648 buildings, including taverns, bottle stores and restaurants were searched, Minnaar added.
"The number of people arrested for outstanding fines stands at 1 449. Four-hundred-and-eight street traders have been arrested and charged for trading in restricted areas and 367 people charged for illegal dumping. We have also impounded 4 828 illegal posters," he said.
The officers have distributed 11 000 pamphlets on crime prevention and against domestic violence to raise public awareness of crime. "We also gave presentations on the wrongs of domestic violence to 4 800 inmates at the Johannesburg Prison"
Minnaar said the crime blitz had resulted in a drop of 2,66% in crime in areas such as Alexandra, Hillbrow, Jeppe and central Johannesburg.
"Traffic offences are down by 13% compared to the same time last year." As the festive season approaches, Minnaar pledged an intensification of law enforcement efforts.
Operation Token Days is set to continue over the next year.
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