Area monitored for vulnerabilities – EMPD
Julian van Onselen recently raised his concerns over illegal taxi ranks and illegal taxi routes through residential areas.
According to van Onselen, taxis driving through suburbs have a negative impact on the area, as it causes an increase in crime and an increase in the chances of an accident happening as taxi drivers ignore road signs.
He says that he has brought this to the EMPD’s attention for the past two years without result.
Supt Wilfred Kgasago, spokesperson for the EMPD, says that both the precinct and specialised services unit monitored the area immediately after receipt of the complaint to verify the claims made.
“Commuters exiting from the taxis at ‘vulnerable times’ were closely monitored, as there were claims of criminals coming into Groeneweide using taxis to hijack vehicles and to burglarise houses,” says Kgasago.
He adds that stop streets and intersections were checked regularly for conduct of motorists as well as the trucks and speeding vehicles.
“The complainant is made aware that there are no signs prohibiting trucks to use Agalhus Road, and the road is actually away from residential houses.”
Kgasago says that investigations are underway for the viability of speed humps, erection of restriction signs and other traffic calming measures.
He says so far, their efforts have yielded the following results:
* On August 14, only two heavy trucks drove past, five taxis were fined for overloading and 35 fines were issued for a variety of offences.
* One August 16, 32 fines were issued for motorists not obeying stop signs, one fine was issued to a motorist for not wearing their safety-belt, one accident occurred and 71 stop and searches occurred.
* On August 19, 15 fines were issued to motorists for not obeying stop signs and five stop and searches were performed.
“We will continue to monitor the area and its surroundings,” says Kgasago.
The following statement by EMPD spokesperson Kgasago is incorrect: “The complainant is made aware that there are no signs prohibiting trucks to use Agalhus Road, and the road is actually away from residential houses.”
There are numerous residences on the North side of Agulhas road. Heavy vehicles do use Agulhas road some days more than others. This is a problem as some make excessive noise.
It is suggested that Mr Kgasago first avail himself of any facts personally before making erroneous statements in the media.
There has been no feedback on the promises of traffic calming measures, painting of traffic lines and the erection of road speed signs.
Operations have have been minimized to ONE operation per week of approximately 1 ½ hours.