Since the taxi blitz operations launched on May 22, the City’s enforcement unit have arrested 55 suspects for several offences, impounded 182 vehicles and issued 4 698 fines for various other crimes.
“The aim is to have at least two such interventions each week, involving the Traffic Service, Metro Police and Law Enforcement Department. We are focusing on areas that are considered hot spots, with moving violations being a key priority, but also driver and vehicle fitness,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith.
To date, blitzes took place in following areas:
– May 22 in Mitchells Plain: 15 taxi impoundments and 129 fines issued
– May 23 on Voortrekker Road between Durban and Koeberg Road: 15 taxi impounds; one arrest for outstanding warrants and 206 fines issued
– May 24 in Table View: 11 taxi impounds and 54 fines issued
– May 28 on the N2 between the R300 and M5: 12 taxis impounded; one arrest for DWI, one arrest for a fraudulent driving license; five arrests for outstanding warrants and 1 483 fines issued
– May 30 at Bellville Public Transport Interchange: 32 taxi impounds; 16 arrests for outstanding warrants, 38 released on a warning and 178 warrants served; 726 fines issued
– June 6 on the N2 between the R300 and M5: 15 taxi impounds; one arrest for DWI, three arrests for outstanding warrants; 46 warrants served to the value of R103 500; 1 137 fines issued
– June 7 on the Cape Town Station Deck: 24 taxi impounds; 17 arrests for outstanding warrants; 379 fines issued
– June 14 in Brackenfell: 34 taxi impounds; 10 arrests for outstanding warrants and 74 warrants served; 360 fines issued
– June 18 in Mitchells Plain and Samora Machel areas: 24 taxi impoundments and 224 fines issued
“Our enforcement services have so many competing priorities, but they are trying their utmost to give every challenge the attention it deserves. It really is an unfair accusation that staff do nothing, because it could not be further from the truth.
“The statistics show that enforcement is happening, but what the public doesn’t always understand is that enforcement is but one link in the chain. Until we are able to hit repeat offenders where it hurts, through permanent impoundment of vehicles or harsher penalties for traffic transgressions, the chaos on our roads will continue unchecked. The City does not have the mandate to impose such sanctions, but we continue lobbying the levels of government that do,” added Smith.
Picture: Supplied/City of Cape Town
