Overloaded taxis impounded

THREE heavily-overloaded taxis that were transporting city pupils to school were impounded last week.

While Sol Plaatje Municipality is in the process of establishing an impound facility, municipal spokesperson Thoko Riet said yesterday that they were making use of the services of a towing company.

“The owners of the vehicles are liable for the towing and storage costs of their vehicles at the towing company’s premises and any fines that are payable when they appear in court,” said Riet.

She stated that one taxi transporting 38 pupils to Kimberley Boys’ High School and Adamantia High School, a taxi that was overloaded with 36 pupils from William Pescod High School and one taxi ferrying 24 pupils from St Boniface High School were impounded on March 8/9.

“All the kombis have the capacity to transport a maximum of 16 people, including the driver,” Riet pointed out.

She explained that fines to a maximum of R2 500 were issued to taxi operators who were transporting in excess of five passengers over the limit, at a rate of R500 per passenger.

“If there is overloading of more than five passengers, the vehicle is impounded and a docket is opened whereby they must appear in court. All three overloaded taxis were referred for prosecution. The vehicles were released after the impound fees were paid. ”

Riet added that 300 taxis were stopped on roads in the Sol Plaatje municipal district during the past three weeks, during ongoing compliance, driver fitness and roadworthy inspections.

“Fines were issued to drivers who were unable to produce a land transport permit and their vehicles were also impounded.

“Five buses that were transporting commuters between Ritchie and Kimberley were fined as they were not in possession of a transportation permit.”