Taxis ignore no-parking-in-wetland rule
MBOMBELA - Mbombela residents are up in arms following the use of a newly cleared wetland area opposite the Tiger Wheel and Tyre on Old Pretoria Road as a parking area for vehicles, particularly taxis.
As well as the area becoming an eyesore due to the parked taxis, the City of Mbombela (CoM) has stated that taxis are prohibited from parking or making use of land that has been designated a wetland or greenbelt.
TJ Maré, who is the CEO of the Nelspruit Community Forum, a chairperson of the KLCBT and the chairperson of the Mpumlanga Leadership Foundation, was at the wetland early on Tuesday morning (October 12) to monitor the situation. He said the CoM had undertaken in previous meetings and discussions to halt vehicles from using the land and to remove taxis that park there.
He said, however, that there appeared to be a delay in any action taken by the municipality.
Maré said many taxis park on the slipway next to the wetland too and this could be a danger to other motorists.
The CoM spokesperson, Jospeh Ngala, said a wetland or a green belt cannot be used as a public transport facility and therefore the taxi industry is required to use designated ones.
"The business community is therefore urged to engage with the City when making their development plans to integrate public transport. It has now become commonplace for developers to disregard public transport in their development," Ngala said.
He added that the environmental protection laws apply to taxis parking in the area especially when it comes to littering that could cause contamination of the natural water in the area.
"The Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport will convene an urgent meeting with Top Star and KaBokweni taxi associations regarding the parking activity that is taking place at the concerned area.
"There have been ongoing engagements over the Tiger Wheel drop-off and pickup area. Agreements were made in terms of operations in consideration of various commuters' concerns. The City will establish a team including law enforcement, the SAPS and environmental affairs to determine an effective solution to this problem," he said.
Ngala added that critical consideration for transit-oriented development is required in that area.
"However existing rules and regulations must be applied until a decision is taken by council."