Taxi cabs and their drivers have been falling victims of carjacking and robbery in EThekwini Outer South Cluster, especially in Umlazi Township and surrounding area.
The drivers are called to pick up a customer and then perhaps shortly requested by the same customer, to pick up another friend along the way to the original destination. Once the other passenger is picked up, a firearm is produced and the taxi driver is hi-jacked and robbed of his earnings and personal belongings. In most cases their taxi earnings are taken and their personal valuables such as cellphones.
Taxi cabs, especially Uber and Taxify, have become targets of these crimes. On some occasions the taxi vehicle is taken and the driver kidnapped. He is eventually dropped off in an area unknown to him. The EThekwini Outer South SAPS are concerned about criminal activities taking place with the Uber and Taxify taxis. Both these companies have been requested by the SAPS to work with them in order to help bring awareness to their drivers.
SAPS are wanting to work with the Uber and Taxify drivers to help prevent them from becoming victims of such crimes. However, Taxify have been reluctant to meet with police to discuss a way forward to prevent such crimes from occurring. Uber have been working with the police, by reporting these matters and holding meetings with their drivers to discuss helpful hints to keep them safe and prevent such crimes occurring on more regular basis.
EThekwini Outer South Cluster SAPS, appeals to all Taxify drivers to please call the EThekwini Outer South Cluster Police OCC office at (031) 3255530 at any time and give their contact details to ensure they get invited to the next meeting by the SAPS.
The meeting will be held to discuss the way forward, in keeping taxi drivers safe and aware of the criminal’s common tactics, in their line of business. The police would like to ensure they can help to prevent such further incidents from happening in the township and surrounding areas. All taxi drivers operating under the umbrella of Taxify and Uber, are invited to attend a future meeting to help address the prevention of such crimes.
Those who operate as taxi drivers, under the same method, but are not with Taxify or Uber, are also welcome to attend such a meeting. Together with the SAPS, so much more can be done to keep our taxi drivers safe.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
