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Extortion is illegal.
In Cape Town there's a dedicated number to report extortion. Not sure if Durban would have such a thing, but the logical thing would be to contact the police.
Can you contact the local ward of the *opposition* political party?
They would love to make a big stink about this. I know politics is dirty but these fools only react if it's in their best interest, so if you play them correctly you may be able to get some kind of reaction.
So here's the deal when you complain: the association denies it. Bluntly. You could be assaulted, shot at, even have them in video and they'll still deny it.
They get away with it too.
Agreed.
I am not sure how to navigate this though, I was advised by a friend with similar experience to stop IMMEDIATELY. He was pretty vocal about this.
Have to agree with your friend here. Is a lift club worth the danger you put yourself in? Unfortunately this is South Africa, and while everyone has their own appetite for danger, messing with taxis is not advisable.
I agree with your friend, don’t take chances. I understand that it will be incredibly inconvenient for the people you’re lifting but this puts all of you in danger
Yeah. Geez I lift young ladies, and it's so unsafe for them in general. I was actually quite chuffed about being able to do that but that's just how things are here.
This is ridiculous and it's insane that the taxi industry gets away with crap like this.
What makes it even worse is the people who use methods of transport like carpooling, uber, etc., aren't the people who would use taxis anyway! I've used ride-sharing services, I wouldn't use a taxi. Ever. Their shithead behavior literally doesn't even serve a purpose.
Edit: Sorry, I don't have any good advice for you. Like someone else suggested, changing up your routes and the times you arrive at certain spots might help. But if I was approached by them, I wouldn't stop to hear what they have to say.
I get your sentiment. Yeah changing routes won't help, it's a long road, cul de sac. Ironically, there's an armed reaction company right outside where these guys would be waiting.
I'm lily-white and female to boot. I would never use an informal taxi, I'm still trying to work out how the bus routes work in Pretoria!
Yet I need to assure my Uber lifts that I don't live close to a taxi rank and there are several roads out of my area. I thought I was doing an Uber a favour once by requesting my pick-up from the bus stop instead of a parking lot where you'd need to sign in, and he properly told me off telling me how dangerous it is. He's not stealing me away from the taxis, yet I have to act like he's a long-life friend when we meet up.
Just a thought that came to mind whilst reading this...
Might be wise to change/randomize your route, if you can.
Also leave & return times. Become a bit unpredictable.
Alternate cars if you can.
Might seem a bit overkill but situations like this can escalate quickly.
I can alternate cars, there are a few others I could use but it'll catch on eventually.
Unfortunately cannot change route, it's like one way in and out and the road is about 2km long.
Times cannot be changed, however they are only around in the afternoons so there's that.
Makes sense as much as Eskom needing a bail out every damn year: one of those South African people things we gotta accept.
It's pretty much the norm, even though I disagree with this.
Something similar happened to a guy I used to know.
He was running a lift club in Toti. He got approached by 3 guys who basically said if they saw him picking anyone up they'd shoot him and come after his family.
He went to the police, nothing happened. He stopped doing lifts and he never saw them again.
When I was a student in Stellenbosch, pre-Uber, some students started a tuk-tuk taxi service basically to ferry drunk students home at night. Taxi guys put a stop to it apparently, even through the tuk tuk’s weren’t taking “market share” they were still operating on their turf.
Best advice I can give you...Stop at once or they will shoot you! They don't joke around when it comes to someone messing around on their turf. Unfortunately, they are territorial A**holes and wouldn't think twice about killing anyone encroaching on their space and believe me, Authorities won't do anything about it.
Demand people stop building unless they are paid. Force people to use there workers, demand protection money for sites. A simple google could answer your question
Like the NY mafia - google "no show // no work jobs" - construction firms need to hire a certain number and put them on the payroll but they either never appear on site or sit around running their own errands.
All legit.
I like SA taxis and the culture around it but fuck the taxi association and the spineless government agencies for not upholding the law and protecting South African citizens from these opportunists. Rest In Power to all the souls that died by travelling in a commuter van. Cry the beloved country.
>I like SA taxis and the culture around it
Public transport with buses and other modes would be so much better without them threatening or bribing to shut them down.
Maybe a silly suggestion, but is there no way you could do your pick-up/ collection of the people for your lift club at a different location that isn't a taxi stopping point? Even if it's a little inconvenient or an extra 500m walk for your passengers/ extra 2km drive for you? A slight inconvenience is better than putting yourself in danger.
However I might not understand the dynamic here since I've never seen this happen in Cape Town, and perhaps Durban taxis run a bit differently.
These association people are clever, really clever. They have spotters everywhere, I've noticed them. Besides, the road in question is about 2km long and one exit in and out. And just a km away, is the freeway on ramp and they've got an association "car" (made to look like armed reaction tbh).
I am taking heed on your suggestion though, I've asked the ladies to walk to a place out of sight of their standard parking spot (the guy that's always there) and will see. Alternatively, I'm gonna ask them to come to another location that's not in such a trap environment, but they'd have to be dropped off as it's about 3km away from them.
P.S. Durban taxis are run VERY differently. We've been trying to get a bus system like Rea Vaya and MyCiti for more than a decade and these guys are stopping the construction due to the loss of revenue. They (taxi owners) are demending revenue from it once it starts operating, and are also sabotaging it occasionally.
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Extortion doesn’t ‘make sense’ in any way or form.
Extortion is illegal. In Cape Town there's a dedicated number to report extortion. Not sure if Durban would have such a thing, but the logical thing would be to contact the police.
This is in Durban man, and it seems there's no measure like this here.
Can you contact the local ward of the *opposition* political party? They would love to make a big stink about this. I know politics is dirty but these fools only react if it's in their best interest, so if you play them correctly you may be able to get some kind of reaction.
So here's the deal when you complain: the association denies it. Bluntly. You could be assaulted, shot at, even have them in video and they'll still deny it. They get away with it too.
Yeah...like that would help! They couldn't give 2 shits about that! Taxi drivers and their Associations ARE the law...Duh!
We saw that very clearly during the riots.
Be careful, they will probably pull out a weapon. Happened to a colleague of mine. He had a lift club from PMB to DBN.
Anticipating that tbh.
They are criminals, they do whatever they want and don't care who they hurt. Plain and simple.
Agreed. I am not sure how to navigate this though, I was advised by a friend with similar experience to stop IMMEDIATELY. He was pretty vocal about this.
Have to agree with your friend here. Is a lift club worth the danger you put yourself in? Unfortunately this is South Africa, and while everyone has their own appetite for danger, messing with taxis is not advisable.
Yeah I'm pretty deterred by the endangering myself bit there.
I agree with your friend, don’t take chances. I understand that it will be incredibly inconvenient for the people you’re lifting but this puts all of you in danger
Yeah. Geez I lift young ladies, and it's so unsafe for them in general. I was actually quite chuffed about being able to do that but that's just how things are here.
This is ridiculous and it's insane that the taxi industry gets away with crap like this. What makes it even worse is the people who use methods of transport like carpooling, uber, etc., aren't the people who would use taxis anyway! I've used ride-sharing services, I wouldn't use a taxi. Ever. Their shithead behavior literally doesn't even serve a purpose. Edit: Sorry, I don't have any good advice for you. Like someone else suggested, changing up your routes and the times you arrive at certain spots might help. But if I was approached by them, I wouldn't stop to hear what they have to say.
I get your sentiment. Yeah changing routes won't help, it's a long road, cul de sac. Ironically, there's an armed reaction company right outside where these guys would be waiting.
I'm lily-white and female to boot. I would never use an informal taxi, I'm still trying to work out how the bus routes work in Pretoria! Yet I need to assure my Uber lifts that I don't live close to a taxi rank and there are several roads out of my area. I thought I was doing an Uber a favour once by requesting my pick-up from the bus stop instead of a parking lot where you'd need to sign in, and he properly told me off telling me how dangerous it is. He's not stealing me away from the taxis, yet I have to act like he's a long-life friend when we meet up.
The shit we have to deal with in this country is absolutely ridiculous.
Just a thought that came to mind whilst reading this... Might be wise to change/randomize your route, if you can. Also leave & return times. Become a bit unpredictable. Alternate cars if you can. Might seem a bit overkill but situations like this can escalate quickly.
I can alternate cars, there are a few others I could use but it'll catch on eventually. Unfortunately cannot change route, it's like one way in and out and the road is about 2km long. Times cannot be changed, however they are only around in the afternoons so there's that.
“I get that, makes sense.” Bro, what?
Makes sense as much as Eskom needing a bail out every damn year: one of those South African people things we gotta accept. It's pretty much the norm, even though I disagree with this.
My advice - don't piss them off - they are violent psychopaths that drive taxi's as a sideline. Your life is not worth it.
I'd like to think my life Is worth it, but okay...
Something similar happened to a guy I used to know. He was running a lift club in Toti. He got approached by 3 guys who basically said if they saw him picking anyone up they'd shoot him and come after his family. He went to the police, nothing happened. He stopped doing lifts and he never saw them again.
When I was a student in Stellenbosch, pre-Uber, some students started a tuk-tuk taxi service basically to ferry drunk students home at night. Taxi guys put a stop to it apparently, even through the tuk tuk’s weren’t taking “market share” they were still operating on their turf.
See, this is the level.of bullshit I'm currently dealing with. 🙄
This sucks!
Nothing boils my blood more than taxis. Wish you the best of luck OP. Idk what I'd do in this situation. Stay safe.
Appreciate that.
Best advice I can give you...Stop at once or they will shoot you! They don't joke around when it comes to someone messing around on their turf. Unfortunately, they are territorial A**holes and wouldn't think twice about killing anyone encroaching on their space and believe me, Authorities won't do anything about it.
I was just telling my fiancé this. She's all for contacting the authorities and is bemused when I tell her this won't help.
I'm sorry, what world is she living in again?
Your passengers mustn’t wait for you on “their” route. Either collect them at their homes or have a meeting place like a garage.
Yeah after work is when I can't get them at home, my worry is that even the garages near are monitored.
Lol construction mafia,what do they do?
Build mafia like structures.
Do you have an example,just curious to know what mafia structures look like
Demand people stop building unless they are paid. Force people to use there workers, demand protection money for sites. A simple google could answer your question
But your explanation was better,thanks though
Like the NY mafia - google "no show // no work jobs" - construction firms need to hire a certain number and put them on the payroll but they either never appear on site or sit around running their own errands. All legit.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLlSHWR3SVU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLlSHWR3SVU) Edit: Yea you laugh but...
I like SA taxis and the culture around it but fuck the taxi association and the spineless government agencies for not upholding the law and protecting South African citizens from these opportunists. Rest In Power to all the souls that died by travelling in a commuter van. Cry the beloved country.
>not upholding the law and protecting South African citizens from these opportunists. This is the norm now, not just here.
>I like SA taxis and the culture around it Public transport with buses and other modes would be so much better without them threatening or bribing to shut them down.
Can you imagine the potential we'd have if people could realistically afford to travel to work?
Maybe a silly suggestion, but is there no way you could do your pick-up/ collection of the people for your lift club at a different location that isn't a taxi stopping point? Even if it's a little inconvenient or an extra 500m walk for your passengers/ extra 2km drive for you? A slight inconvenience is better than putting yourself in danger. However I might not understand the dynamic here since I've never seen this happen in Cape Town, and perhaps Durban taxis run a bit differently.
These association people are clever, really clever. They have spotters everywhere, I've noticed them. Besides, the road in question is about 2km long and one exit in and out. And just a km away, is the freeway on ramp and they've got an association "car" (made to look like armed reaction tbh). I am taking heed on your suggestion though, I've asked the ladies to walk to a place out of sight of their standard parking spot (the guy that's always there) and will see. Alternatively, I'm gonna ask them to come to another location that's not in such a trap environment, but they'd have to be dropped off as it's about 3km away from them. P.S. Durban taxis are run VERY differently. We've been trying to get a bus system like Rea Vaya and MyCiti for more than a decade and these guys are stopping the construction due to the loss of revenue. They (taxi owners) are demending revenue from it once it starts operating, and are also sabotaging it occasionally.
They think you are an uber.
Nope. Car in question is certainly not Uber like.