Shocking video shows Durban taxi carrying 35 passengers
A viral video circulating on social media shows a law enforcement
official stopping a taxi that was transporting 35 passengers, including
the driver, in what's supposed to be a 15 seater.
According to Arrive Alive, "Taxis are the most popular mode of transport in urban areas for most of South Africa’s population."
Minibus taxis make up 90% of the taxi industry market, and one of the most prominent challenges law enforcement faces is making this mode of public transportation safe, efficient and affordable.
In South Africa, minibus taxis have a terrible reputation and are often considered unsafe. There was a time when the Toyota Quantum panel vans, which were converted into passenger-carrying taxis, were referred to as "coffins with wheels".
A research paper by a student at the University of Pretoria touched on the behaviour of taxi drivers.
"Poor driver behaviour within the minibus taxi industry is a matter known to the government
and also the leadership of the minibus taxi industry," it states.
The study notes that in 2011, the South African Taxi Council introduced a training school requiring drivers to complete a three-month course before obtaining their Professional Driving Permits.
Yet, taxi commuters continue to report reckless driving, overcrowding, loud music, and poor treatment from drivers and operators.
Although the law permits minibus taxis to travel with 14 passengers, 15 including the driver, there's a race for money in this industry where drivers and conductors/touts push as many passengers as possible to capitalise on a trip.
It seems all efforts were in vain because, despite interventions, "36 lives are lost on our roads every day – with three of those deaths linked to taxi-related incidents".
This isn’t to say taxis are always at fault, but if you live and drive in South Africa, you’ve likely witnessed the reckless behaviour of many taxi drivers.
A viral video circulating on social media highlights the severity of the issue. In the footage, a law enforcement officer stops a minibus taxi reportedly from Phoenix, Durban.
The officer first points to the front of the vehicle, where three people – excluding the driver – are crammed into the front seat. As it turns out, there were 35 passengers in total.
As people begin to climb out, the officer turns to the remaining seated passengers, questioning why they accepted such unsafe conditions.
Without hesitation, he instructs the driver to remove the taxi’s licence discs, which the driver does without protest.
While this intervention may have stopped one dangerously overloaded taxi, the reality is that South Africa’s taxi industry is in desperate need of reform – a challenge that seems like an uphill battle.
Watch the video below – courtesy of TikTok.
@thesanctuary777 Do you recognize anyone?
♬ original sound - Sanctuary
HOW TO LISTEN TO EAST COAST RADIO
- Listen to East Coast Radio on the FM (frequency modulation) spectrum between 94 and 95 FM on your radio.
- Listen live to ECR by clicking here or download the ECR App (iOS/Android).
- Listen to East Coast Radio on the DStv audio bouquet, channel 836.
- Switch to the audio bouquet on your Openview decoder and browse to channel 606.
- Listen to us on Amazon Alexa.
Follow us on social media:
Image courtesy of TikTok