MEDIA STATEMENT

MORE THAN 30 TAXIS IMPOUNDED IN JUST ONE DAY

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Safety and Security Mr. Bheki Cele has congratulated law enforcement officers from the KZN Transport Department's Public Transport Enforcement Unit (PTEU) for the excellent work that they are doing for the public transport industry.

Members of the PTEU impounded more than thirty public transport vehicles in just one day on the Hibiscus Coast last week. This latest operation was conducted last Thursday in and around the Hibiscus Coast between 04h00 and 16h30, targeting specifically public transport vehicles such as buses, taxis and other passenger carrying vehicles.

Thirty one (31) mini-bus taxis, one midi-bus, two bakkies and one Toyota Venture were impounded because the drivers were not in possession of the necessary operating permits. In addition, twenty two (22) public transport vehicles were taken off the road for being in an un-roadworthy condition.

"Since its inception the PTEU has assisted tremendously in preventing drivers and operators in the public transport industry from acting illegally, irresponsibly and recklessly on our roads and for this we want to thank these officers. We also want to thank the KwaZulu-Natal Taxi Council (KWANATACO), the South African Bus Owners Association (SABOA) and all other stakeholders in the public transport industry who have assisted us in this regard", Cele said.

The PTEU was officially launched on 22 August 2002 by former KZN Transport MEC S'bu Ndebele and is dedicated to ensuring road traffic compliance within the public transport sector. The main work of this unit is to ensure that:

• Drivers are properly licensed and in possession of a professional driving permit (PrDP). In terms of the National Road Traffic Act, a PrDP must be renewed every twelve months.
• Vehicles are roadworthy and display a valid Certificate of Fitness (COF) which is renewable every twelve months.
• Trading rights are not infringed.
• Commuters are properly informed and aware of their rights. Of particular concern is the fact that passengers using an illegal taxi will not be fully compensated by the Road Accident Fund should they be involved in a road crash.

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