Mahikeng- Jaws intervention unit has impounded more than19 private scholar transport taxis around Mahikeng for operating without licenses.

The taxis were impounded during the special taxi operation which lasted for two days.

North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Gaoage Molapisi said the department would not allow any taxi operating on the road without operating licenses.

“These taxis operate without permits and they ferry learners in and out of school on daily basis. The most worrying factor is that they overload these taxis and do not even have necessary documents.”

According to traffic authorities one taxi was found loading 32 learners and is certified to carry 15 passengers.

In a meeting with the Head of the Department Mr Bailey Mahlakoleng, operators whom their vehicles have been impounded claimed that they have since applied for operating licenses and they are still awaiting for their permits. Upon departmental investigation, it was established that only four had applied and three disqualified with one going to PRE in its next sitting for consideration.

While they raised concerns on lack of information on the application process, the department committed to assist and ease the process for them.

The operators have since further been advised to pay their traffic fines issued when their vehicles were impounded before they could collect them.

Traffic Authorities also revealed that most of the operators whom their vehicles are been impounded are also operating as routine taxi operators which means they have permits at their respective ranks with specific routes and therefore cannot qualify to operate as scholar transport.

In that regard, MEC Molapisi said; “The department only issues one operating license per vehicle, there is no way that one taxi can operate parallel, so those who operate as taxis should make a choice whether they continue as taxi operators or as taxi scholar transport which then we will withdraw your taxi operating permit.”

As part of an outreach programme and strengthening of partnership, the department will conduct information sharing session and campaigns within the industry in orders to minimize illegal operations.

The purpose of this exercise would be to encourage more illegal taxi operators to legalise their operations.

More than 63 traffic fines with a value of R70 800 were issued during the operation to motorists for different offences such as using cellphone while driving, seatbelt, overloading and driving without driving license.

A Zimbabwean citizen who is an accountant, was further arrested for driving a white ford bantam with a fraudulent vehicle license disc. The fraudulent disc was detected through the Number Plate Recognition System (NPRS), and two vehicles were discontinued for unroadworthiness.
-TDN
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