HARASSMENT BY TAXI ASSOCIATION PATROLLERS!

General Fanny Masemola, National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, has reemphasised that taxi patrollers and/or security personnel affiliated with taxi associations have NO RIGHT to stop motorists on public roads, whether you’re giving someone a lift or not.

On numerous occasions, it has been reported that private vehicle owners would be harassed by taxi patrollers, accusing them of ferrying their clients as passengers, whereas they’re the ones, as taxis, only allowed to transport such people.

He said they can patrol their taxis, not you as motorists.

Harassment and coercion into making financial payments constitute financial extortion and other related criminal offenses.

He added that confiscating keys and holding motorists hostage are serious crimes that will not be tolerated by the police.

WHAT TO DO IF VICTIMISED:

– Report incidents to the South African Police Service.

– Press criminal charges against perpetrators.

– Law enforcement agencies will take decisive action to stamp out these crimes.

General Masemola has pledged to task all Provincial Commissioners to adopt a zero-tolerance approach in dealing with these acts of crime.