from South Africa
WORLDWIDE TAXI FOCUS from Hungary
FIVE POLICE OFFICERS ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY SELLING DRUGS AT A TAXI RANK
An operation to eradicate crime in Vereeniging, a city south of Johan- nesburg, recently led to the arrest of five police officers for alleged drug dealing. The five officers are attached to a Task Team, which is tasked to fight crime in Vereeniging and neighbouring areas. Taxi operators have complained about drug dealing and crime at the taxi rank. Operators identified a Ford bakkie and a Nissan Impendulo that was allegedly used to store drugs at the rank. The two vehicles belong to the police. A police officer, who was at the scene, told News24 that Vereeniging police station had been inundated with com- plaints from taxi operators. “Taxi owners have been complaining at the police station about a Nissan Impendulo with male occupants supplying drugs at the rank. A lookout was then launched for the vehicle. “They thought drug dealers were using different vehicles of the same brand. Operators didn’t know that the suspects were using different number plates on a single vehicle when- ever they made deliveries. “Our colleagues thought they were smart by changing number plates. Today, we were lucky that as we were working at the rank, taxi operators pointed out the vehicles to us,” he said. As the operation was underway, the two vehicles arrived and taxi operators quickly blocked them in using their minibus taxis. Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said the two vehicles were allocated to District Sedibeng’s Visible Policing Task Team. “The police searched the vehicles and found a container with Mandrax, crystal meth, dagga and 62 packets of nyaope as well as different registration numbers,” he added. The police officer, who News24 spoke to, said the accused were armed with service pistols and a rifle. “They were arrested on the spot. They have embarrassed us,” he added. The suspects were expected to appear in court soon.
80
TAXI DRIVERS WANT 67 PER CENT FARE RISE IN BUDAPEST!
Around 200 taxi drivers drove their cars around Heroes’ Square in Budapest on Wednesday 2 February, to draw attention to their demands for an increase in the regu- lated fare schedule. According to Daily News Hungary, the organisers of the demonstration said taxi drivers are turning to the central government after the Budapest municipal council failed to respond to a request to negotiate. Róbert Horacsek, a spokesman for the organisers, said over- all prices have risen by 15%, while fuel prices have climbed by 40%, since 2017, the last time taxi fares were raised. During the same period, the price of cars suitable for taxi service has risen by about 2 million forints (£4,700). He added: “As the Budapest local council, which sets taxi fares in the capital, has rejected demands to raise those fares, taxi drivers want the central government to set a minimum fare for the whole country.” The demonstrators delivered their demands to the Mayor’s Office and the Prime Minister’s Office.
from Lebanon
LEBANON’S TAXI DRIVERS BLOCK ROADS IN PROTEST OF SURGING PRICES
Scores of Lebanon’s taxi, bus and truck drivers started a three-day strike on Wednesday 2 February, blocking roads and demanding the government address surging prices and a broader economic crisis. Alarabiya News reports that it was the second time in three weeks unions held strike action, forcing schools, universities, and many shops to close. With public transport virtually non-existent in Lebanon, many rely on such shared taxis, buses or minivans for their daily commute and travel.
MARCH 2022
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