By Teboho Serutla
The Maseru Regional Taxi Association (MRTO) strongly believes that piracy in public transportation still remains a menace despite an announced issuance of D-permits.
The permits are issued by the department of traffic to the public transport owners allowing them to legally transport commuters to and from their destinations in the country.
But the MRTO spokesman Lebohang Moea is not convinced such an issuance would curb piracy in the public sector transport business.
Piracy has reared its ugly head within the taxi industry resulting in the licensed transporters losing gains in the business.
The department announced a resumption of giving out the D-permits to taxi owners and couriers from April 19.
But Moea argues that that would not deter a breach of law in the public transport industry.
“Those entrusted with responsibility to enforce compliance with the traffic regulations on public transport such as the police, are the ones who operate unauthorised public transport and continue to engage in piracy,” Moea suggests.
He adds that the police are even aware of the unregistered or unauthorised taxi ranks “which they ignore because getting rid of them could interfere with their shady business.”
One of the public transport operators, who preferred to remain anonymous, added that piracy was a hut nut to crack as traffic officers, a majority of them police officers, were bent on accepting bribery from those caught committing the road traffic offences.
The ministry also informed the public that such services are offered at Traffic offices in Ha Foso. They are to bring along their national identities, vehicle fitness certificates and the disc licenses. The documents should be certified by authorised officers.
