PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Uncedo Taxi Association drivers in Bitou met with Bitou Municipality on Wednesday 25 February to raise the association's concerns.
The delegation, represented by Lunga Mjakuca, met with Acting Municipal Manager Christopher Mapeyi and safety director Siyasanga Vandala.
Matters raised included alleged harassment of drivers by Bitou traffic officials who have allegedly "personalised" their professional positions to target drivers; excessive roadblocks targeting taxis and allegations that the municipality is using these as revenue generators; and refunds or reduction of fines.
Uncedo also alleged that the municipality's transport management technology system provides inadequate information to enable taxi drivers to access and assess warrants for outstanding fines.
Fruitful
Mapeyi described the meeting as fruitful, adding that the timeline for a response was set for the end of March.
He said fines are issued to every transgressor with adequate information provided for paying fines or requesting a reduction.
"It remains the responsibility of any offender to keep the fines [that had been] issued, and not the municipality."
Offenders are allowed to visit the municipality to request copies of fines.
"However, the offender must furnish adequate information and have relevant documentation to prove the information is given to the appropriate person, to avoid wrong information in the wrong hands.
"When visiting the munici-pality, everyone is subjected to a queue and at times it takes longer to be served when there is an influx of customers. It requires patience, because everyone is served equally," he said.
Roadblocks
Mapeyi said traffic officials do not "target" anyone.
"The traffic officers are ensuring that the roads used by the public are safe and all offenders must take responsibility for their actions. The traffic officials work in the best interests of the public to ensure road users are safe and everyone abides by the road and traffic laws."
He said roadblocks are among the mechanisms used by the Bitou Municipality to ensure that transport users abide by traffic and road regulations. He denied this was a revenue-generating method.
Reduction of fines are permissible within the legislative framework and those eligible need to comply with the requirements.
He said allegations by taxi drivers regarding staff members will be investigated.
"However, this is not an investigation other than the confirmation of the allegations," he said.
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