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By Asanda Sokanyile 
1 hour ago
Cape Town – Thousands of farm workers could be stranded if an alleged racketeering and racketeering scheme by taxi operators continues.
Farmers in and around the Joostenbergvlakte area have raised the alarm and say they are being extorted from them when they transport their workers to and from work.
Several other businesses, including private and school transportation, have also been affected.
Winegrower Jaco Lourens said they offer transportation to their workers as a benefit because most of the farms are in rural areas.
“It would be inhumane for us to expect people to walk 15 km to and from work every day, but at this rate we may have to cancel service, and that would affect both us and our employees because some they would stop coming. work and we would have to stop production, ”he said.
Farmers now fear they will have to suspend the service that helps more than 1,000 farm workers, which will cause their employees to have difficulty commuting and many job losses.
He added that the action of taxi operators has accelerated in recent days, but there has been little or no assistance from the police.
“We tried to press charges to the police, but to no avail. Our drivers are afraid to go to the police station because they live with these people in the community, so they fear reprisals.
“We cannot file formal charges because it was not us who drove the vehicles. The law enforcement officers tried to help us with the matter because we also tried to inform them, but the police have to investigate and they just won’t do it, ”Lourens said.
The owner of a wine estate, Tyrrel Myburgh, said he informed police that taxi drivers gathered in an open field near Elsenburg Road after suspecting extortion.
“My vehicle has not been stopped, but I have witnessed taxi operators take bakkies, trucks and vans off the road, demanding a fee for the use of what they consider to be their taxi route,” he said.
Farmers said the actions of taxi operators were a way to make quick money.
A transport driver, who asked not to be named, said taxi drivers are known to him in the Bloekombos area.
“This has been going on for years. Last year and the year before, we had to pay an annual fee of R500 to transport people to and from work.
“The reason they charge us this fee is because they say we are taking money out of their pockets as these people could be taking taxis to travel,” he said. The driver also explained that in order to transport personnel, vehicles had to register at the Bloekombos taxi rank.
“This allows them a free pass for the year starting in January. If you get caught in the middle of the year, then the R500 is for the rest of the year until December, ”he said.
Klapmuts Neighborhood Watch said the taxi problem started at the corner of R101 and Muldersvlei (De Meye Wine Estate).
“The local SAPS was informed. They have moved to Koelenhof, stopped the Klein Simonsvlei truck with the employees and took the truck with its driver to Bloekombos. Again, SAPS couldn’t help because they were busy in an accident, ”said the neighborhood watch.
Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) spokesperson Andile Siyamo confirmed that “all vehicles operating on routes operated by taxis need to report operations or pay operating fees. Only Golden Arrow, Metrorail and taxi service can operate during the day, after hours, then people can transport their staff freely. Even school transports must inform us before they operate, ”he said.
Those who do not pay the fine have their vehicles at the taxi rank until they pay.
Law enforcement spokesman Wayne Dyason said they could only act after receiving a complaint.
“The department can only act if they respond to the complaint and find that something is happening at the scene. If nothing, then the matter should be referred to the South African Police Service, as the city’s enforcement services are not mandated to conduct investigations. “
Police spokesman FC van Wyk said: “No extortion-related cases were opened in Kraaifontein (police station). However, the Kraaifontein police have learned of related incidents that may have occurred within the Bloekombos area. “
Argus weekend
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