Taxi commuters in Johannesburg are increasingly concerned about their safety due to escalating crime at city taxi ranks.
This morning, a joint operation involving the Alexandra Taxi Association (ATA), Alexandra, Randburg, Midrand and Sandton Taxi Association (ARMSTA), along with the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) and South African Police Service (SAPS), was conducted at the MTN Taxi Rank in Johannesburg's CBD. The operation aimed to combat crime at the taxi ranks.
Commuters shared their experiences:
One commuter noted, "Particularly for women, it's unsafe. To avoid danger, you have to travel before 6 AM. The risks are real – from muggings to having your wig snatched off. It's genuinely frightening."
Another commuter expressed, "At the taxi rank, I feel constantly on edge about my belongings like my phone and money. I keep my phone silent to avoid drawing attention. The fear of having my handbag or groceries stolen is constant, and there have been instances of people being stabbed and attacked."
Taxi operator Jabulani Ntshangase highlighted the urgent need for increased police presence at taxi ranks throughout Johannesburg, indicating that passengers are frequent targets for criminals. He described the situation as dire, citing insufficient police response and prevalent drug and alcohol sales contributing to rampant robberies and a general lack of safety.