By Teboho Serutla
Police have impounded 42 unlicensed taxis as part of an operation to clamp down on piracy in the taxi industry.
The operation dubbed ‘Operation Hlompha Molao’ was unleashed in Maseru city on August 5 and 6.
The operation was a result of a study which attributed uncontrollable traffic congestion in the city to the proliferation of illegal public transportation.
Police say rogue cabs are particularly difficult to discern as they too spot the required yellow bands which are unique to cabs, even though they are not in possession of the accompanying documentation.
Assistant police public relations officer, ‘Mareabetsoe Mofoka, says the car theft and armed robbery unit will conduct investigations aimed at establising the real ownership of the seized vehicles.
“This piracy has a negative impact on the profitability of licensed and authorised public transport operators who pay taxes and employees, as these illegal operators steal passengers,” Mofoka concluded.
