Cape Town traffic cops are taking no nonsense from taxi drivers who flout the rules of the road and have arrested more than 3 000 drivers and impounded over 900 taxis in just two months.
Mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, says following a klomp complaints received from disgruntled motorists about the bad behaviour of minibus taxis, Operation Reclaim has stepped up to track down drivers with outstanding warrants.
He says since May, traffic cops, Law Enforcement and Metro Police officers have been doing taxi blitz operations in hot spot areas.
“Between May and mid-July, officers have arrested 3 336 taxi drivers with 13 568 outstanding warrants between them, valued at just over R31 million.”
He says during the same period, 919 minibus taxis were impounded – either because the driver did not have an operating licence, or was contravening the conditions of their licence.
Cops cracking down on taxi drivers. Picture: Supplied
Last Thursday, officers stopped a minibus taxi on Jakes Gerwel Drive and they recognised the driver as a person who ran away from a vehicle checkpoint last year.
“On further investigation, they found the 24-year-old man had 43 outstanding warrants to the value of R111 600. The suspect was taken to Parow SAPS,” said Smith.
“A fingerprint scan revealed he is wanted for a reckless/negligent driving case.
“Two more taxi drivers were arrested later that evening – a 33-year-old suspect with 27 warrants (R82 050) and a 30-year-old driver with 20 outstanding warrants to the value of R46 500.
“I also hope that it sends a stern message to those scofflaws who think they are above the law.”