Cape Town’s R7.6 million taxi rank left unused for years

Ngqamakhwe city, close to Butterworth within the Jap Cape, acquired a model new taxi rank in 2021. It took more than two years to assemble, and it cost R7.6 million. However, it isn’t in use.

Mnquma Native Municipality spokesperson Loyiso Mpalantshane stated the rank was handed over to the taxi associations; however, police and municipal legislation enforcement suggested they not open it as a result of the taxi wars.

There are three taxi associations, each primarily based in close-by cities: Ngqamakhwe, Centane, and Butterworth.

Mpalantshane stated most incidents are associated to fights over routes, and between 2021 and 2022, about 20 people were killed in taxi-related violence.

Because the municipality, we actually need this taxi rank for use. I used to be there last week; the grass is now beginning to develop,” he stated. However, taxi points are ongoing.

You discover that these transporting folks from Butterworth to Ngqamakhwe are actually not allowed to move them again to Butterworth; only a taxi from Ngqamakhwe is allowed. Identical with the route between Centane and Butterworth,” he stated.

Ngqamakhwe taxi affiliation chairperson Phumzile Jwathi confirmed they’d acquired the keys to the rank from the municipality; however, he stated they’ve been ready since 2021 for the municipality to put in lights and a rail for the sliding gate, in addition to repairing the doorways and the fencing.

We advised them that we would solely use the taxi rank as soon as all had been mounted. Since then, they’ve been giving us a run-around,” stated Jwathi.

He stated there’s a nice desire for the taxi rank due to the numerous small villages surrounding Ngqmakhwe; however, taxi associations are not going to settle for the rank since it’s unfinished.

Final week, GroundUp visited the rank. It’s nonetheless in a good situation. Fencing not removed from the doorway is nonetheless damaged, and it’s straightforward to get inside. Mpalantshane stated the fence had been hit by a bakkie.

At the moment, most taxis use a small rank on the primary highway, which causes severe site visitor congestion, particularly on days when social grants are paid.

Ward 18 Councillor Lunga Dyantyi (ANC) stated the municipality is conscious of the rail for the gate and can repair it.