IT’S 10 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS DAY IN THE JOHANNESBURG CBD

A WOMAN is balancing three bags and her handbag on her shoulders while clutching her young son’s hand. They race through the streets leading to Park Station and navigate through traffic and other pedestrians in a desperate bid to get to the taxi travelling to the Eastern Cape on time. The woman and her son’s journey was the reality of scores of travellers who were leaving Johannesburg to travel to other parts of the country to enjoy the festive season. This exodus caused gridlock in the inner city because most routes around Park Station were packed with cars, buses and taxis, all trying to outmanoeuvre each other as they battled to get out the city. Queues snaked for metres at the transport hub and even the Gautrain. Despite the holiday cheer, many people were not pleased with the wait, and several resorted to sitting on the floor. A large police contingent was deployed at the transport hub in a bid to keep the crowds safe. Transport Minister Blade Nzimande went on a walkabout yesterday in the bustling Wanderers taxi rank and Park Station. Nzimande had personal interactions with taxi drivers and passengers. He encouraged commuters to report taxi drivers who break the law. “You have a voice and you have a right to call out wrong behaviour. Don’t allow them to drink and drive, don’t allow them to speed. You must report them to the authorities,” he told commuters. Nzimande also urged drivers to consider the devastating effects caused by reckless driving. “We plead with you because you are the the single largest carrier of passengers in this country,” he said. | Karishma Dipa and Kgopi Mabotja