The overloaded taxi in Phoenix.
Image: Screengrab of video
A VIRAL video has exposed dangerous overcrowding in a Durban Phoenix taxi, where 35 passengers were found cramped into a vehicle licensed for only 14 seated passengers. The incident has sparked public outrage and debates about passenger safety and responsibility.
In the video, a person believed to be a law enforcement official, is heard telling the driver of the taxi to open the door.
When opened, multiple passengers could be seen standing – like sardines in a can - inside the taxi.
He then reprimanded the passengers and asked those who were standing to get off the taxi.
As they jumped off, the man counted 17 standing passengers.
The rest were seated. A total of 35 passengers were in the taxi.
“Imagine if you meet with an accident now. None of you will get paid. Why are you paying a full fare and letting people stand on you? Go give that driver a slap,” he said aggressively.
He asked for the driver – who apologised - to pull their licence disk off the windscreen.
The video sparked discussion as to why paying passengers allowed themselves to be in that situation.
People questioned why the taxi driver was putting his passengers in danger as there were many taxis in Phoenix.
“But people get into these taxis knowing it's full. Drivers are not only to blame. Passengers must be held responsible and pay a fine for getting into an already full taxi,” said one social media commentator, Richard Reddy.
Many also commented they had encountered similar experiences.
“I had my 9 month old baby with me and the driver loaded 18 standing passengers. When I told him to stop because I have a baby he gave me attitude and everyone attacked me verbally. The driver then came up to my mum's face and said he will get his wife to dala her. This happened in Merebank,” said Leah Rambaran.
Metro police spokesperson Colonel Boysie Zungu, said overloading of vehicles was against the National Road traffic act.
“If metro police found him with an overloaded vehicle, they would prosecute him accordingly. We advise members of the public to report drivers who carry overloads on public transport,” said Zungu.
THE POST
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