Soshanguve residents left stranded after taxi impounds

Soshanguve taxi drivers are up in arms over the recent impounding of their vehicles, accusing the government of acting unfairly and unreasonably.

Operators claim they are repeatedly asked to produce operating permits, documents many say they’ve been trying to obtain for years without success.

At least 30 taxis were impounded last week during a service delivery operation in the township. Drivers argue that the permit application process is flawed, with many being rejected on the grounds that their vehicles are “too old” or “dilapidated” to qualify.

One frustrated driver, Vusimuzi Masanabo, shared his experience, saying the system has left him with no choice but to consider other forms of work.

“I have even decided to change to driving e-hailing cars because I fear that my licence will have lots of fines attached to it, which at the end I won’t be able to pay off. I come ready as a driver but the problem is getting permits and we don’t even understand why we can’t get them,” says Masanabo.

The taxi operators have called on government to find a practical solution that will allow them to continue working and supporting their families.

The drivers who claim have been part of the Soshanguve Local and Long Distance Taxi Association (SOLLDTA) and Soshanguve Taxi Owners Association (SOTOA) for over a decade, insist they cannot afford to lose their vehicles, which remain their only source of income.

Speaking to Ynews, the drivers decried government’s proposed R150 000 lumpsum in exchange for their vehicles, saying it is too little to be used to purchase new taxis.

Earlier today, drivers handed over a letter of grievances to their respective associations in hopes of finding an amicable solution. However, many have still not been able to retrieve their impounded vehicles, citing exorbitant release fees as a barrier.

Taxi owners are now threatening mass protest action if the impounding continues. They accuse the government of mistreating them and making it impossible to earn a living.

One owner, known to the association as Madudubai, expressed deep concern about the impact of the crackdown.

“Our government is now abusing us. This is our last resort to help put bread on our family’s tables, and now they are taking it away without even giving us jobs. Everyday they take our cars. Eventually all our cars will end up being impounded and we won’t have money to get them back. Where do they expect us to find that money?,” says Madudubai.

Meanwhile, commuters across Soshanguve have been left stranded due to the shortage of operating taxis. Those still on the road are being forced to overload passengers to meet the high demand.

One regular commuter who travels from Jukulyn in Soshanguve, Nhlanhla Ntuli, says the experience is utterly unpleasant.

“At the stop sign, usually we are able to find taxis and we don’t have to wait for long but now we just find queues because there are no taxis available and when we do find taxis they overload them with passengers because people are in a hurry to get to work. It’s been a hassle since the Premier came to Soshanguve. It’s just not nice,” said Ntuli.

YNews reached out to the Gauteng Department of Transport for comment, but no response had been received at the time of publication.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao