Minister Madikizela to visit Joe Gqabi Interchange amid fraud allegations

Media Release by Bonginkosi Madikizela, Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works

I urge all taxi owners and operators to abide by the amended transport regulations and to respect the rule of law.

Since the lockdown, I have received complaints from concerned citizens and victims of illegal activities conducted by long distance taxi operators. Joe Gqabi Interchange has been identified as a hotspot where these operations are common.

Some of the reported incidents include allegations of long distance taxi operators who help passengers obtain fraudulent permits to “attend funerals” outside the province and transport them to various destinations. When these vehicles are caught and turned back to Cape Town by our officers, the passengers are not refunded as they have not reached their destination. The elderly are reportedly the targeted victims.

I would like to remind public transport operators again that Transport Regulations restrict the purposes for which public transport can be used, the number of people that can be transported in a public transport vehicle, the times when public transport can operate and the safety and hygiene standards that public transport services must follow. No long distance traveling is allowed.

I will visit the Joe Gqabi Interchange today to assess the situation.

If anyone is found to be undermining the regulations, the law will take its course.

I fully understand the frustration of businesses who are losing income during these challenging times.

We all need to work together, support one another and follow the rules so that we can curb the spread of the Coronavirus.

The visit is scheduled for 2pm.