Dept takes action on illegal taxi permits

THE NORTHERN Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison is in the process of withdrawing 316 illegally issued taxi operating licences.

The spokesperson for the provincial Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, Keitumetse Moticoe, said that an official who was implicated in issuing illegal permits had been charged both internally and criminally.

“Disciplinary proceedings are unfolding while the Commercial Crimes unit of the Hawks is also investigating the matter. The department has pledged its full support and co-operation during the process,” said Moticoe earlier this week.

She explained that the discrepancies were uncovered during an internal investigation.

“The department took a decision to put a moratorium on the issuing of operating licences from June 1 2015 until December 31 2016, to manage a backlog of operating licence applications and to ensure that the market was not over-saturated. The moratorium was uplifted on April 1 2017.”

Moticoe added that the Provincial Regulatory Entity, responsible for adjudicating over operating licence applications, detected some irregularities while addressing the backlog in the influx of operating licences issued.

“The permits dispatched contradicted the provisions made in the National Land Act, No 5 of 2009. This department commenced internal investigations and found that 316 applications were approved unlawfully.”

Moticoe stated that the department had advised the affected operators about their intention to withdraw the permits.

“To date, the department has distributed 105 withdrawals letters to operators. Out of a total of 316 letters issued through registered mail, 173 of the letters were returned, as they were not collected at the post office. The department is engaging with taxi associations to ensure that the remaining operators are informed.”

She said operators could oppose the intended withdrawal in writing.

“Failure to dispute the withdrawal within the stipulated time will lead to the withdrawal of the operating licence. Applicants can re-apply for the operating licence at no cost.”