Taxi operators clean up filthy rank together

Taxi operators working from the Mdantsane Highway taxi rank have taken it on themselves to keep the rank clean.

The close to 300 taxi operators said they had decided to invest in cleaning materials two weeks ago and started cleaning up the rank after noticing that municipal cleaners were no longer cleaning the area regularly.

The operators said they each made a financial contribution towards buying cleaning materials such as brooms, rakes and refuse bags and in between their rush hours they would make some time to clean the rank.

Masikhumbule Baliso, who has been operating at the rank since 1999, said they were fed up with their workplace always being associated with filth.

“Most taxi ranks in the country are always associated with dirty places where rats roam and there is an unbearable smell. Just like any other profession, this is our office or workstation,” he said.

Another operator, Xolani Bontso, said there were about 300 taxis operating from the rank travelling local and long distances.

“We just got tired of sitting back and waiting on the municipality when we could actually do it ourselves,” said Bontso.

Commuters and street vendors said they had noticed the rank was much cleaner after the operators’ initiative.