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Bid to scrap ‘unsafe’ taxis from China in South Africa

170608, Beijing. Bhisho legislators want to scrap Chinese-made minibus taxis that carry thousands of Eastern Cape commuters daily after claims that they are unsafe. A senior taxi official said since the Inyathi’s introduction in the country in 2006 it had suffered countless mechanical problems such as overheated engines and loss of power, as well as problems with shackle rubbers, differentials and, crucially, its disc brakes.

“It is not fit for our roads, mechanically or otherwise,” said Ntsikilelo Goniwe, the Eastern Cape spokesperson for the SA National Taxi Council.

Made by China Auto Manufacturers (CAM), whose South African headquarters are in Johannesburg, the Inyathi has been ferrying passengers since it was introduced two years ago.

But on Thursday, the Eastern Cape provincial Legislature’s Roads and Transport portfolio committee red-carded the Inyathi, and called on the provincial department to alert minibus operators to its findings.

“The department must communicate effectively with minibus operators on the compatibility of Inyathi with taxi recapitalisation norms and standards,” committee chairperson Sisisi Tolashe said.

Roads and Transport MEC Thobile Mhlahlo said: “We don’t care who owns the car, but care about the safety of the people who get into the taxi.

“Now, if Inyathi does not meet those requirements, we will then have to take a position.”

DA MPL Veliswa Mvenya said Inyathi taxi owners were already being refused operating licences because of safety measures.

She said the problems around the Inyathi put passengers “in a difficult situation regarding compensation” in case of an accident.

Goniwe, the taxi council PRO, pointed out that the Inyathi did not appear on the list of recapitalisation-compliant vehicles released by the national Transport Department in December-January, and also did not appear on a recent list issued by the provincial government.

Goniwe also claimed that, since the onset of the taxi recapitalisation process, government had issued permits to operators without proper regard for the safety of new vehicles.

Provincial Transport spokesperson Ncedo Kumbaca said he would also make a submission to the national department.

The Inyathi’s manufacturer CAM had not responded to media queries by the time of going to press.

Source: Dispatch Online.