Citypress | Bolt is blank on why Gauteng police impounded its drivers’ mini cars

The Gauteng Traffic Police have impounded 17 Bajaj Qute vehicles on Wednesday, bringing the total number of impounded cars to 29. Elizabeth Sejake NEWS E-hailing company Bolt maintains that Gauteng traffic police did not give their Bolt Lite mini car drivers an official reason for impounding their cars in the Johannesburg CBD, Braamfontein, Westbury and Noordgesig areas for allegedly conducting public transportation without operating licences. This after 17 Bajaj Qute mini cars were impounded on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cars impounded from August 18 to August 22 to 29.

“Bolt is aware that traffic officials have decided to impound a number of ride-hailing vehicles in Johannesburg. This action was unexpected for us, and drivers have not been presented with an official reason for the impound. We are currently engaging with the local authorities to resolve this situation,” said Takura Malaba, Bolt regional manager of East and Southern Africa.

Countering the argument of the Gauteng Traffic Police department that the vehicles were operating without a licence or permit for public transportation, Malaba said that the Bajaj vehicles were, in fact, licensed to operate on South African roads. He added: They are designated as compact quadricycles, and are aimed at intra-city transportation or last-mile transportation. The Bajaj is eligible to run on all South African roads and is National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS)-approved, which was approved in 2017.

READ: New Bolt Lite runs into problems as drivers face intimidation and reluctant passengers Malaba explained that the Bajaj Qutes have been sold in South Africa since 2017 and that there had been no reason since 2017 for the NRCS to direct that these vehicles should not operate in South Africa. “Additionally, these vehicles have undergone a standard vehicle licensing process and have been issued with number plates after the registration process with the Gauteng transport and logistics department. These vehicles have been registered on the electronic National Administration Traffic Information System (NaTIS) and have Gauteng (GP) licence plates as well,” he further argued.

Gauteng traffic police department to track down the owners of the cars Meanwhile, Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson Sello Maremane told City Press that the department was working on tracking some of the drivers who abandoned their vehicles and disappeared after being stopped in their tracks by officers. Maremane said: The Gauteng Traffic Police call upon the owners to refrain from using these vehicles as public transport without valid operating licences. This kind of practice may also lead to taxi conflict, which often results in the loss of lives.

READ: WATCH | Bolt Lite driver preaches the gospel from behind the wheel Maremane, who cited the National Land Transport Act, said: “No person shall undertake a public transport service without an operating licence or permit. ” The Gauteng Traffic Police has further appealed to the operators to ensure that they had valid operating licenses when they conducted their work. “The Gauteng Traffic Police will continue to act without fear or favour against any person disobeying the rules and regulations of the road.

Anyone found to engage in these illegal practices will be brought to book to face the full might of the law,” added Maremane. We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features.

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