Taxi rank runs into resistance

A ROW has erupted between the City of Windhoek and the residents of Donkerhoek in Katutura over the relocation of the Hereford taxi rank to their area.While the City maintains that the community was consulted about the project, residents maintain that this was not the case.

According to the City, the site was previously used as a landfill, which made it unsuitable for construction and thus ideal for a taxi rank. But one concerned resident said that there was already a project planned for that area.”It was supposed to be turned into a playground.We were never informed about the proposal to turn it into a taxi rank.Our councillor was not informed either.Now there is no place for our kids to play, as the yards here are very small and the street is too dangerous.”The City cites lack of space and traffic congestion as the main reasons for moving the rank.But the residents say there is also a deeper reason for their upset: “That [area] was where the South African government used to park their armoured vehicles when they came to patronise us in the location.The playground would have been a nice way to forget about that.”Another concern is the rise in criminal activity.The City says it intends to counteract this by implementing “proper security measures” in conjunction with the Namibia Bus and Taxi Association and the City Police.”Proper lighting will also be provided to prevent a security hazard”, the City says.But residents say it is well-known that crime rates around the Hereford taxi rank were very high.Donkerhoek residents will present a petition to their councillor later today.But one concerned resident said that there was already a project planned for that area.”It was supposed to be turned into a playground.We were never informed about the proposal to turn it into a taxi rank.Our councillor was not informed either.Now there is no place for our kids to play, as the yards here are very small and the street is too dangerous.”The City cites lack of space and traffic congestion as the main reasons for moving the rank.But the residents say there is also a deeper reason for their upset: “That [area] was where the South African government used to park their armoured vehicles when they came to patronise us in the location.The playground would have been a nice way to forget about that.”Another concern is the rise in criminal activity.The City says it intends to counteract this by implementing “proper security measures” in conjunction with the Namibia Bus and Taxi Association and the City Police.”Proper lighting will also be provided to prevent a security hazard”, the City says.But residents say it is well-known that crime rates around the Hereford taxi rank were very high.Donkerhoek residents will present a petition to their councillor later today.