The Free State provincial government has promised to take what it calls ‘proactive action’ to ensure the safety of Lesotho motorists and travellers on South African roads.
This comes amidst widespread reports of harassment of Lesotho motorists by public transport operators in the neighbouring Free State province and beyond.
Lesotho motorists driving in South Africa regularly allege to have been subjected to the indignity of being pulled over at illegal roadblocks mounted by taxi drivers demanding to know why they are carrying passengers and demanding proof of their identities and consanguinity.
The director of corporate communications in the Free State department of community safety, roads and transport, Hillary Mophethe, denied cognisance of the harassment of Lesotho motorists by members of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) upon crossing the border into the province.
However, Mophethe said her department takes the allegations seriously and is deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of all travellers, including Lesotho nationals.
“It is essential to note that, according to traffic law, only law enforcement agencies are authorised to mount roadblocks. To address these incidents, the provincial government has engaged both South African and Lesotho operators, as well as leadership, to address concerns and resolve issues peacefully.
“We have established a joint committee comprising the Free State government, Cross Border Transport Agency, National Department of Transport, and Lesotho government to address the impasse.
“We assure the public that all operators with valid operating licenses will be allowed to ferry passengers, ensuring a safe and regulated transportation environment,” Mophethe told theReporter.
One victim of the mindless thuggery, Liteboho Thamae, related her harrowing experience at the hands of the South African taxi operators.
“I was travelling to Cate Town recently and I had asked relatives to drop me off at Ladybrand turnoff to catch the bus. Immediately after completing immigration formalities and crossing the border, I saw a group of men at the taxi rank nearby screaming and signally us to stop. My brother, who was driving, did not notice them.
“Less than 100m later, another group of men pulled us over. They asked by brother where we were going and why we were in such a hurry. I asked them who they were to question us and if they had the authority. They went ballistic and responded with a barrage of profanities and threats, even ordering us to turn back because we were not supposed to be travelling together.
“I pulled out my phone to record them and take the registration number of their vehicle but one of the men told me to exit the car so he could beat me up, or I should delete the video footage. They eventually let us go after a long, heated exchange,” she said.
Another motorist, Kabelo Lipholo, had a similar experience.
Lipholo said he and his wife and kids were driving to Johannesburg, when they were hailed by a clique of rowdy alcohol-reeking men who demanded their passports to prove that we were indeed a family.
“I stood my ground and refused to be intimidated; the gang eventually backed off.
“I did not feel the need to answer to people who are not law enforcement officers. Surprisingly enough, members of the South African police stationed at the Maseru border gate did not intervene as the whole episode played out,” Lipholo noted.
theReporter visited the Maseru border gate recently where it was told that some Lesotho motorists have a tendency of picking up hitchhikers to Welkom or Bloemfontein, and the SA taxi operators take exception to that.
A South African cop at the border gate who only identified himself as Lipholo, said it is illegal for civilians to forcefully stop vehicles.
“There are many cars from Lesotho that work as pirate taxis in South Africa, and usually charge less for long distances. That is also illegal, but it’s the duty of the police to take action against such people.
“There is no legal basis for stopping a vehicle simply because it carries a certain number of passengers, unless it is violating specific regulations such as passenger capacity limits or not adhering to customs protocols.
“However, when people are travelling in large groups and are not related, they need to inform the Manyatseng Taxi Association for clearance prior to the date of travelling,” the police officer pointed out.
Meanwhile, the principal information officer of the Lesotho ministry of foreign affairs and international relations, Kutloano Pheku, said the victims should to report the matter to the police, so the ministry can intervene. “If a person feels they are being harassed, they have a right to call the nearest police station,” Pheku advised.
