By Buziwe Nocuze
Passengers in Cape Town who use Avanzas, also known as Amaphela, claim they are being robbed by the driver whenever they need change.
Some drivers are using a new trick to steal from passengers.
A passenger shared her experience: “I was on my way to the mall and had R300 with me. I gave the driver R100, but he said he didn’t have change. Instead of asking other drivers for change, he stopped near a shop and asked me to go inside and get it.”
She left her wallet and cellphone in her bag, thinking it was safe.
“I got the change, gave the driver R10, and kept the remaining R90. I didn’t realise that while I was inside the shop, he had taken my money and cellphone from my bag,” she said.
When she got out of the Avanza, the driver quickly drove away.
“At first, I thought he was just in a hurry to pick up more passengers, but then I realised my money and phone were gone. The association needs to do something to stop this.”
Another victim said that even having the vehicle’s registration number doesn’t always help.
“I wrote down the registration number and reported it at the taxi rank where the Avanza association is, but they couldn’t help because I didn’t have the sticker number,” the victim said.
The sticker number is displayed on the windscreen and the back of the Avanza, and it’s important for identifying the vehicle.
“Many of these vehicles don’t have sticker numbers. We were told that each sticker number is linked to one person, making it easier to find the owner,” another passenger said.
Sihle Ndlebe, the chairperson of the Khikhi Murray Association, explained that without the sticker number, they advise victims to go to the police station.
“We always tell passengers to note the sticker number on the front and back of the Avanza. Without it, we can’t help. We suggest they open a case with the police and use the vehicle’s registration number to track down the owner,” Ndlebe said.
Pictured above: An Avanza.
Source: Stock
