Police seize 31 minibus taxis in Johannesburg this week

This week has seen a massive police clamp down on minibus drivers who are operating in Johannesburg without a valid permit. Roads around the taxi ranks were barricaded as police inspected driver’s documents as they left the rank. All in all 31 minibuses were said to have been seized as part of the safety operation.

There were reports that many taxi drivers refused to pick-up fares and turned many commuters away as they attempted to avoid the police by staying inside the rank. It was as the vehicles left the rank that police stopped the drivers so many sought to overcome this obstacle by staking out in the taxi rank.

The operation was launched as part of Transport month in what is described by officials as a bid for “safety in public transport facilities, state of readiness for 2010.” It comes as the city attempts to clean-up its act in preparation for the FIFA Football World Cup which will descend upon South Africa next year.

Officials are warning all taxi drivers to have the appropriate paperwork in place in accordance with the Public Passenger Road Transport Act or to risk losing their vehicle. It is feared that illegal taxi operators are putting the lives of commuters at risk by providing a service in a potentially un-roadworthy vehicles.