Forum pushes for regulation of amaphela
A MEETING of the Gugulethu Development Forum (GDF) to address the issue of the criminal activities surrounding many of the informal amaphela (Avanza sedan taxis) has demanded that the government provide commuters in the area with “safe and reliable public transport”.
The meeting, which was attended by representatives from the police, the City of Cape Town and the provincial government, also challenged the City to “provide law enforcement officers, like they do in other parts of the metro, to help fight crime”.
A resident of Charlesville, which is just over the N2 near Gugulethu, said the residents of Montana, Charlesville and Montevideo experience daily abuse from the amaphela taxis.
Andrew Mtuedwa said: “Most of these amaphela have no number plates; a major decision needs to be taken against them.”
GDF secretary-general Vincent Domingo said: “Whenever we talk to the authorities, they can only offer us trains or the amaphela. But when Prasa has problems, our commuters cannot get back and forth and are forced to rely on the unregulated amaphela. We want to have properly regulated alternatives.”
Domingo said if the amaphela were regulated, they would be safer for people to use and the link to criminality would disappear. He said the GDF would be holding a meeting with amaphela owners on January 14 to discuss the matter.
I RESIDE in the small suburb of Charlesville, which is just off the N2 and close to Gugulethu.
Our area, which consists of three suburbs – Montana, Charlesville and Montevideo – experiences abuse daily from some people driving Avanzas, commonly known as cockroaches.
House robberies and the robbing of people on the streets is a major concern. We would like to meet the taxi forum to discuss the problem we face.
Many Avanzas have no number plates; there is the daily blocking of the entrance to our area. When we confront them, they are rude. A major decision needs to be taken. City law enforcement need to be part of this meeting.
ANDREW MTUEDWA | Charlesville