21 Mar 2017

Taxi operators in Kgalagadi North constituency have joined hands in an effort to intensify the fight against  unlicensed transport operators.

Speaking at a taxi identification consultative meeting addressed by Department of Transport and Road Safety (DTRS) in collaboration with Botswana Police Service recently, a taxi operator, Mr Major Maapatsane expressed the need for government and other relevant stakeholders to join hands in the fight against commuter piracy.

He expressed dissatisfaction that there had been a poor relationship between taxi operators, transport department and the police, which created a loophole for pirates to do as they pleased. 

He therefore called for active participation from all players to ensure that they were brought to book because their action was detrimental to the transport industry.

Mr Maapatsane cited that there had been a couple of incidences where government vehicles ferried unauthorised passengers from the area of their operation.

He said "this illegal practice has been a major blow to taxi operators as it has hindered them to make enough profits."

He implored police officers to put government vehicles under close scrutiny and intensify patrols along public roads to eradicate such incidences.

Another taxi operator, Mr Modane Maphale shared the sentiments, adding that all stakeholders should work as a team to ensure piracy is eradicated.

He proposed for a bus rank to be built in Kang and Hukuntsi, noting lack of such a facility  costs them a lot as taxi operators because buses often offloaded anywhere, which leaves them with no passengers to transport.

A bus operator, Mr Dimpho Bok said private cars that always transported passengers between Kang and Hukuntsi were a major threat to industry.

He said to rescue the situation, it was imperative for police and transport departments to designate an officer specifically to attend to such cases.

Responding to comments by concerned operators, Southern Region manager of DTRS, Mr Kingsley Lesole highlighted that his department was concerned about transport piracy, hence the need to consult with all key stakeholders on how best to combat illegal transporting of passengers.

He said DTRS had implemented new developments for easy identification of taxis according to their locations, to differentiate taxis from private vehicles as well as to minimise piracy from other locations. ENDS