Taxis barricade roads to protest poor state of roads
Taxi drivers protested against the state of the roads in Jan Kempdorp. Picture: Soraya Crowie
TAXIS barricaded roads leading into Jan Kempdorp on January 25 in objection to the poor state of the roads.
Traffic was obstructed, while commuters were unable to report for work.
A salon owner said that he would have no income for the day as he was unable to see any clients.
Another community member agreed with the grievances raised by the taxi drivers.
“The roads are in an atrocious condition and the ambulances cannot navigate through all the potholes.”
Members of the Vaalharts Taxi Association stated that they had had several engagements with the local municipality since last year to highlight the dangers of the roads.
“We want the main artery roads leading into Valspan to be repaired as a matter of urgency. The lives of passengers and drivers alike are in jeopardy.
“We are experiencing frequent tyre bursts and are continually being issued traffic fines because our vehicles are not roadworthy. Meanwhile it is because of the shocking state of the roads.”
The taxi drivers snubbed Phokwane mayor Tebogo Afrika when he tried to address them.
“We don’t want any political party to address us, we only want the municipal manager to speak to us.”
Afrika explained that the municipality was in the process of completing a paving project in Valspan.
“The project is around 98 percent complete. We are looking for funding to resurface another road that is on the integrated development plan for the current financial year, although it will cost around R8 million to repair. We are in the process of fixing all the roads in Jan Kempdorp.”
Northern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said the SAPS Public Order Policing unit and the Jan Kempdorp and Hartswater SAPS attended to protest action in Jan Kempdorp on Wednesday.
“Protesters barricaded several roads leading into the residential areas of Jan Kempdorp with stones and burning tyres at around 3am on January 25.”
Kock indicated that no serious injuries or damage to property was reported to the police.
“The police are monitoring the situation closely.”
