Residents of Belrail say that taxis have made living in their area unbearable and that they are gatvol of the City of Cape Town’s inability to fix the problem.
Since last May, taxis have turned the local park in Belrail Road into a terminus due to the refugee camp being set up on their old parking spot during the national lockdown but now they have spread all over the area.
Gerda Gerber, Belrail Community chairperson, said: “The play park was something that the entire community worked hard to create because it was a safe place for the children to play, but now they cannot play there because of the taxis.
“To make matters worse is that they are now parking in the streets like Adam Tas and De Lille, which causes massive problems because people cannot go in or out of their homes.
“One elderly woman was sitting at her dinner table and looked through her window directly at one of the drivers pissing right in front of her.”
Gerda added that the taxis start parking from 5am and leave at about 9pm.
“The taxis park here and play loud music all the time, making it difficult to sleep while there are many times where people cannot even leave their homes because the taxis park them in and when you try to tell them to move then they just ignore you.
“In the park, they have started setting up braais and burning fires so now people cannot even hang their washing outside because the clothes end up smelling like smoke.”
Mounds of dirt are also left behind.
The Belrail resident added that all of the complaints and appeals to the City, Traffic Department and Law Enforcement have been met with “empty promises”.
Richard Coleman, spokesperson for the Traffic Service, said: “Enforcement is ongoing and the relevant departments are liaising to address the matter and find a sustainable solution.”
Ward 6 Councillor Mercia Kleinsmith added that a solution is being investigated.