Govt warns over 2 300 illegal taxis to be scrapped within the next three months
The Department of Transport has identified over 2 300 illegal taxis, which must be scrapped following safety concerns.
The department is targeting Toyota Quantum panel vans that were illegally converted into minibus taxis in 2005.
The conversions have resulted in the vehicles failing to meet the required safety standards for vehicles carrying passengers.
The Taxi Recapitalization Programme was introduced in March 2019 following a report by the Office of the Public Protector on the consequences of unsafe taxis.
Transport spokesperson Lwazi Khoza says owners of the illegally converted Toyota Quantum panel vans must surrender their vehicles for scrapping by the end of January 2023.
"In a Parliament gazette published on Monday, the department said that 2,353 converted panel vans were identified as being illegally converted, with 436 of the converted panel vans being modified and 1,917 to be scrapped.
"Illegally converted Toyota Panel Vans must be surrendered for scrapping at the Taxi Recapitalization South Africa by 31 January 2023.
"The owner of an illegally converted Toyota Panel Van must have an operating license or permit linked to the vehicle and also in the owner’s name to qualify for a scrapping allowance."
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