Ngqamakhwe city close to Butterworth within the Japanese Cape obtained a model new taxi rank in 2021. It took greater than two years to assemble and it price R7.6 million. However it’s not in use.
Mnquma Native Municipality spokesperson Loyiso Mpalantshane mentioned the rank was handed over to the taxi associations, however police and municipal legislation enforcement suggested them to not open it because of taxi wars.
There are three taxi associations, every based mostly in close by cities: Ngqamakhwe, Centane and Butterworth taxi affiliation.
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Mpalantshane mentioned most incidents are associated to fights over routes, and between 2021 and 2022 about 20 folks have been killed in taxi-related violence.
“Because the municipality we actually need this taxi rank for use. I used to be there final week, the grass is now beginning to develop,” he mentioned. However taxi points are ongoing.
“You discover that these transporting folks from Butterworth to Ngqamakhwe at the moment are not allowed to move them again to Butterworth; solely a taxi from Ngqamakhwe is allowed. Similar with the route between Centane and Butterworth,” he mentioned.
Ngqamakhwe taxi affiliation chairperson Phumzile Jwathi confirmed that they had obtained the keys to the rank from the municipality, however he mentioned they’ve been ready since 2021 for the municipality to put in lights and a rail for the sliding gate, and likewise to repair the doorways and the fencing.
“We informed them that we will solely use the taxi rank as soon as all has been mounted. Since then they’ve been giving us a run round,” mentioned Jwathi.
He mentioned there’s a nice want for the taxi rank due to the numerous small villages surrounding Ngqmakhwe, however taxi associations won’t settle for the rank whereas it’s unfinished.
Final week GroundUp visited the rank. It’s nonetheless in good situation. Fencing not removed from the doorway is nevertheless damaged, and it’s simple to get inside. Mpalantshane mentioned the fence had been hit by a bakkie.
At present most taxis use a small rank on the principle street, which causes severe site visitors congestion, particularly on days when social grants are paid.
Ward 18 Councillor Lunga Dyantyi (ANC) mentioned the municipality is conscious of the rail for the gate and can repair it.
