JP Smith disputes releasing impounded taxis without payment

City of Cape MMC for Safety and Security JP Smith has disputed claims that the impounded minibus taxis will be released at no cost following the end of the strike.

JP SMITH REPLIES TO SANTACO CHAIRPERSON

“I heard Mandla Hermanus from SANTACO on radio claiming that the agreement that brought about the end of the taxi strike was based on a reduction of the list of things for which the City and Provincial Traffic can impound and that taxis will be released from the pound,” JP Smith responded to the interview.

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“This is not accurate.”

JP Smith

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THE CONDITION SET BY THE CITY ABOUT IMPOUNDED TAXIS

He said in order to avoid conflicts between enforcement staff on the road and public transport employees, it is important that they are clear about exactly what was agreed to:

• Impoundments under the National Land Transportation Act (NLTA) will continue for vehicles driving without an operating license, or on the incorrect route, or without a driver’s license, or which are not roadworthy.
• We have agreed that the Taxi Task Team will further define a list, within 14 days, of additional major offences in terms of which vehicles will continue to be impounded in future. This will take the form of an Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to guide enforcement staff on the exercise of the discretionary power provided for in the NLTA.
• Our focus in the task team will be to ensure that all traffic offences which impact on commuter safety remain as major offences. Road safety for commuters and other road users is a non-negotiable, a position the City has not budged on.

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MORE CONDITIONS BY JP SMITH

• The task team will similarly compile an agreed-upon list of minor offences, which do not have commuter safety implications, and which will not be impoundable. The City continues to believe it will be able to demonstrate to Santaco that we have already been following this distinction for some time.
• Importantly, if Santaco believes that any of their taxis have been impounded for these minor offences, then they can produce the relevant impoundment notices and the City will then make representations to the Public Prosecutor to support the release of these vehicles.

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