Municipality refutes fraudulent letter
Louis Sefoka:
That whole precinct has become a no go zone. I personally know a few people who've been robbed while waiting for a bus there. And you know I know the status quite well. I avoid driving through there, not to mention WALKING through.
Is nothing sacred
Shirley Anne Wood:
anymore?
Carol-ann Basson:
Sterkte aan al die betrokkenes. Wens daar het sommer begin spook en skurke moes in standbeelde verander het.
Nicole Coly Swart:
Liewe hel. Nie eers die dooies kan in vrede gelaat word nie.
Wat de hel gaan aan in ons dorp! Ek mis die ou George! Wat gaan aan in
Monique Du Plessis Lesch: Gaynor Mentoor Mafutu:
George julle? Dis so sad!
Naellowine Charmonye Esau:
Ons werk was ook dop gehou met 'n wit kar en 4 mans. Dink hulle teiken nou paar plekke en net na 17:00 is hul toeslaan tyd.
Afraudulent letter stating that new operating licences to taxis will be issued by the George Municipality now forms part of a police investigation. It is unclear who is behind this fake, deceptive letter, that features the forged signature of Municipal Manager Trevor Botha.
A source told the George Herald that he has seen the letter in the possession of some taxi drivers and that these new licences can be obtained at R5 000.
"These guys say they will compete with the buses on their routes, they are just waiting for the go-ahead," said the source. These rumours have also raised renewed questions about the 2009 moratorium on the issuing of new licences, a matter that was at the heart of protests by the local taxi association Uncedo earlier this year.
But this week, George Municipality set the record straight and stressed that no new operating licences are being issued and that the moratorium on new licenses stands.
Fake letter investigated
George municipal spokesperson
Chantel Edwards-Klose said a case has been registered with the police and that the letter forms part of the evidence. "George Municipality has provided a statement to SAPS confirming that the letter in circulation is not official. George Municipality would like to reiterate that no new operating licences are being issued and the moratorium on new licenses stands. Any person who thinks they have 'purchased' a new operating licence should report such to SAPS as they have been defrauded. The recent renewals were only existing licences that had to be renewed," she said.
Roll-out in Thembalethu
George Herald has also learnt that GO GEORGE representatives are consulting stakeholders regarding the roll-out of the bus system to Thembalethu, known as "phase 4". The phase 4 roll-out was on the agenda at a stakeholder meeting arranged by the lawyers representing the Department of Transport and GO GEORGE in George on 21 November.
Botha would not confirm or deny that such a meeting took place or whether phase 4 will be rolled out. "The George Municipality will make a statement in this regard following full consultation with the relevant stakeholders in the new year," he said.
The practicalities surrounding such a rollout are a cause of concern. Following the mayoral address during the council meeting last Wednesday, 28 November, ANC Chief Whip Nomawethu Jantjies said current infrastructure is not sufficient. "And then we are talking about the roads. The buses are coming in next year in March. But the state of the roads that the buses must use are not on standard. We are no way near where we are supposed to be. And these bus stops that we should have - there is nothing. I am scared. I am worried that we will not be able to roll out stage 4 in the state we are now," she said.
Any person who thinks they have ‘purchased’ a new operating licence should report such to SAPS as they have been defrauded.