City Traffic Services concerned over high numbers of unsafe taxi’s

By Kim Saulse
1 August 2009

“It is concerning to find so many illegal operators, unlicensed drivers and vehicles with major defects like defective brakes and smooth tyres transporting commuters,” said Chief Inspector Merle Lourens, media spokesperson for Cape Town Traffic Services.

This statement comes after the City’s Traffic Services swooped on the so-called “Amaphele” taxi’s, operating exclusively in townships, yesterday morning.

173 motorists were charged for not having a valid driving licence, 15 for not wearing seatbelts and 83 fines were also issued for other vehicle defects.

She added: “Driving an unsafe vehicle poses a danger not only to the passenger, but to other road users as well.”