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MMC for Public Safety Cllr Michael Sun was joined by a team of Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and Emergency Management Services (EMS) officials today to deliver 1 000 cups of coffee for taxi drivers at the Bara Taxi Rank in Diepkloof, Soweto.
The purpose of this initiative is to bring awareness of road, vehicle and passenger safety to the taxi industry and create by-law awareness to Joburg residents. The City has decided on a more hands-on approach to alleviate problems in the taxi industry so as to ensure commuter and road safety.
Since January 2018, City’s Operation Buya Mthetho has seen hundreds of unroadworthy, dangerous and illegal vehicles been removed from our roads, thus reducing possible major fatalities on the Joburg roads.
“Today’s Coffee Drive not only focuses on engaging the taxi drivers on road, passenger and vehicle safety but also to enhance the relationship between law enforcement and the taxi industry so we can work together to ensure our roads are safer for all. We hope our cup of coffee will bring warmth and freshen the taxi driver up for the long hours ahead,” said MMC Sun.
Officials handed out 1 000 cups of coffee and reached hundreds of taxi drivers this morning at Bara Taxi Rank. The department acknowledges that it will take more than a cup of coffee and safety pamphlet to correct bad driving behaviour but firmly believes that it requires the involvement of all stakeholders, provincial, national government and taxi industry leadership to improve the situation.
MMC Sun also emphasised that law enforcement must still be taken seriously and urged taxi drivers to ensure that roadworthiness and safety of their vehicles to avoid impoundment by the JMPD as Operation Buya Mthetho will continue to ensure the safety of Joburg residents.
