Illegal taxi rank traumatises local residents
AUSTERVILLE residents have pleaded with the city to supply litter bins and mobile toilets to keep a vacant plot, which is being used as a taxi rank, clean.
Residents previously complained about the illegal rank, situated on the corner of Lansdowne and Duranta Road in Wentworth, south of Durban.
They complained about noise, filth and the lack of ablution facilities.
However, residents said the noise issue was resolved as some taxis, belonging to the Austerville Taxi Association, had found a designated taxi rank. However, umlazi taxis, who ferry pupils to a local school, occupied the space as a waiting area in the day, while pupils were in class.
The area was strewn with litter from vendors who also operate there.
A livid resident, Bruno O’reilly, said after City Watch reported the story, Metro police relocated the taxis to a different location.
But taxis from umlazi and Lamontville remained.
The city stated that use of the land was illegal as it was not designated as a rank by the ethekwini Transport Authority.
O’reilly said they were promised that metro police and the parks and recreation department were in consultation with the affected role players, but nothing was done regarding bins and toilets.
“There is no reduction in the number of vehicles operating from the corner of Duranta and Lansdowne Roads.
“Instead, more taxis have filled the vacuum left by the departure of the Austerville taxis.
“The problem here is not who occupies the area but the lack of toilets and dirt bins. I reported how the drivers urinate in public and how dirt is strewn all over the area.
“All that needs to be done is for the city to provide toilets and bins or, alternatively, get people to clean the area regularly as the school children also have nowhere to place their papers and wrappers.
“This would go a long way to keeping the area tidy,” said O’reilly.
Taxi driver Sifiso Madlala said some of the residents have approached them regarding the noise and dirt.
“We are also trying to keep this place clean but there are no proper facilities.
“We keep the music low and we also encouraged pupils to use plastic bags for litter because we have noted the complaints,” Madlala said.
ethekwini Municipality spokesperson, Tozi Mthethwa, said the relevant units have been tasked to investigate and the outcome would determine the course of action to be taken.