In a follow-up operation, metro police officers descended on illegal taxi ranks along Louis Botha Avenue, searching taxis, impounding unroadworthy vehicles and issuing fines to law breakers.

Metro police officers issued traffic fines to taxi operators breaking the law

IN its endeavour to reclaim Louis Botha Avenue from illegal taxi operators, the metro police on Monday launched another raid on illegal operations taking place along that road.

The follow-up sting operation took place on Monday 31 March at the corner of Athol Road and Louis Botha Avenue in Highlands North. For this operation, metro police officers targeted unroadworthy vehicles and drivers who did not have valid public driving licences.

JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said after the operation that some 270 vehicles were stopped and searched during the three hour operation; 12 taxis were impounded and 62 fines issued. "Two vehicles were issued with notices to stop operating because they were not roadworthy and the drivers' licences were confiscated," Minnaar added.

The raid on Monday followed a massive clampdown on unlawful and poor driving behaviour by taxi drivers which took place on Friday 28 March in which the police cracked down on taxis using this busy arterial road. Altogether, the JMPD stopped and searched 1119 vehicles, resulting in 40 taxis being impounded and 271 fines issued. To release a vehicle from the City pound the owner has to pay a R1500 fine.

Drivers and taxis checked
"Police officers focussed on the taxi's condition, the state of the driver and also checked driver behaviour," said Minnaar. He confirmed that Monday's sting operation was a follow-up to see if taxi operators were cooperating and warned that similar operations would continue to take place in the area until taxi operators obeyed the law.

During the first sting on Friday, an area stretching from Boundary Road in Hillbrow to Athol Road in Highlands North was an ants' nest of law enforcement officers. Various raids were undertaken, checking by-law compliance of businesses in the area and roadblocks were set-up to check taxi compliance throughout the morning.

The JMPD was assisted by the South African Police Service, the Gauteng Province Traffic Patrol Unit, Emergency Management Services personnel, and members of the local community policing forum.

The exercise forms part of Operation Juggernaut, an ongoing initiative to clamp down on taxis countrywide.

Illegal taxi rank
One of the important activities planned for Friday's operation was to close down the illegal taxi rank which had sprung up across the road from the Balfour Park shopping centre. On any given day over 60 taxis could be seen illegally parking on the service road parallel to Louis Botha where it crosses Athol Road. The area became unmanageable and something drastic had to be done, Julian Rod, deputy chair for the Norwood Community Police Forum said.

After calls for cooperation and discussions with taxi associations brought about no change, the JMPD was called in to take action. Rod said they have been talking to the two associations involved, ARMSTRA and the Alexandra Taxi Association (ATA) as well as heads of various police stations in the area to come up with solutions. "We said to them, we understand there is a need and offered alternative premises. We said, we want to find a home for you guys."

The taxi associations have yet to come back with their response to the issues raised during the meeting, Rod says. It took place three weeks ago.

Cleaned-up
On Monday, the area around the Balfour Park shopping centre looked almost deserted compared to the usual taxi mayhem of the last couple of months. No taxis were found to be parking illegally and businesses in the service road, which includes a crèche, were able to operate smoothly with no traffic flow disturbance.

A legal taxi rank was originally created at the Balfour Park shopping area but because of poor behaviour from taxis this rank was closed. According to Rod, the rank was left dirty and taxis were parking at will, spilling over into adjacent areas. "It works two ways. Taxis have to follow laws and obey laws as we all do. It's a package deal."

Illegal activities and the general disregard for the law by taxi drivers using Louis Botha Avenue have resulted in a significant drop in property values in the area, according to Rod.

Illegal traders
Illegal traders also felt the sting of the law. On Friday, Anna Nkabinda's braai equipment was confiscated by the JMPD. She sells grilled mealy cobs to commuters embarking from the taxis. But on Monday she was again trading illegally on the pavement, obstructing an area already heavily clogged up with pedestrians. This time the JMPD officers confiscated everything, including a bag full of green mealies.

An elderly, illegal trader offered some resistance when metro cops impounded her goods

Police became heavy-handed after Nkabinda tried to retrieve her goods from the JMPD lorry. A light scuffle ensued but it was Nkabinda who finally had to throw in the towel. She has no other income with her family of four relying heavily on what she brings home everyday, she said. Asked why she continues to trade in illegal areas, she offered a simple excuse. "I have no choice."

Minnaar said enough trading areas existed where traders can sell goods legally. "We have to ensure that the by-laws of the City are not contravened. We have to act."

Other traders, including a man who had a roaring tyre trade on the same pavement, were cleared out on Friday. They were not to be seen on Monday and Rod was happy with the success of the two operations.

The situation will be monitored and raids done if and when it becomes necessary, Minnaar confirmed.

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