May 10, 2008

Taxi operators jump ship

More and more Durban taxi operators and drivers are opting to become the "good guys" and have promised to pay their fines, drive at reasonable speeds and play softer music.

After The Independent on Saturday’s article last week, more than 30 taxi drivers and owners arrived at the Durban Metro Police Station and vowed to clean up their act, said spokesman Snr Supt Thozamile Tyala.

Last week taxi drivers, who were sick and tired of being referred to as "public enemy number one" and wanted to change their bad image, met Durban Metro Police to settle their unpaid fines, and introduced suggestion boxes for commuters to air their grievances and to assure them of a pleasant journey.

Some Phoenix taxi operators owed as much R33 000, but after receiving big reductions they only paid about R3 000.

Finally the "hide and seek game" with police has come to an end, said Sandile Nzimande, a taxi operator from Umlazi.

"I owed R5 800 but after reading the article I was no longer scared and decided to meet the police.

"We came to an agreement and I now only have to pay R575.

"We are really so glad that the tension between the police and taxi drivers has finally been resolved."

A Chatsworth taxi operator, Ganass Moodley, said taxi drivers were now able to carry out their tasks far more easily.

"We have an understanding with the police and have promised to pay R920 in unpaid fines. This came as a pleasant surprise as we initially owed R2 980."

A pleased Tyala said they were extremely grateful for the co-operation of the taxi operators and they were hoping that more of them come forward.

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=181&art_id=vn20080510091332875C728913