TAXI DRIVERS’ COMPLAINTS A JOKE

reservations regarding the terrain and the large number of labourers that would be needed.

A line of forts and redoubts seemed a better option.

The order remained, however, and in February 1656 Van Riebeeck travelled to False Bay with an escort of soldiers to see “whether a canal could be constructed across the flats… in order to make this Cape into an island”.

The investigation revealed that the Liesbeek River and various tributaries, streams and lakelets were for the most part interconnected and flowed sluggishly into large brackish lake (today’s Zeekoevlei). However, the remaining stretch to False Bay was blocked by 10 or 12 successive ranges of high sand dunes which could not be cut through.

He strongly recommended that the project be dropped as it was devoid of advantages and would cost millions of guilders without profit to the Company.

Seven months after sending his report, an answer arrived from the Netherlands. The canal project was to be abandoned and permission was given to build a redoubt to house a garrison of 12 to 15 men. Commissioner Van Goens would examine the site during his next visit in March 1657.

Van Goens, an energetic former general and admiral, inspected the whole Cape territory from end to end, including the “isthmus” between the two bays. Next, he sent surveyors to beacon off the shortest distance between them in a straight line – and ordered them back when they made a mess of their first attempt. Van Riebeeck could only bite his tongue and bide his time.

More next week. THE report about taxi drivers complaining that fines are too high refers.

This is the joke of the month. If they don’t want to pay fines then they must start obeying the rules of the road and look after their vehicles.

We are all trying to make an honest living and not breaking the law to do so.

Why should they be allowed to get away with the mayhem that they create every morning on our roads?

I spend an hour or more every morning and evening “jousting” with these arrogant, rude and downright antisocial taxi drivers on the city roads.

Now they are complaining that the fines are too high.

Double the fines and impound their vehicles if they don’t pay. | Plumstead