Bhisho - More than 2500 unroadworthy taxis in the Eastern Cape have been scrapped to make way for new and safe taxis.

Presenting his policy speech in the Bhisho Legislature recently, provincial Safety, Liaison, Roads and Transport MEC Thobile Mhlahlo said the province was on record with 2500 vehicles at the scrapping site in Zwelitsha.

“With regard to the implementation of the Taxi Recapitalisation Project, the province is on record as occupying a leading position in its implementation.”

He said the owners have each received their R50 000 scrapping allowances.

The taxi recapitalisation programme which started in 2006 aims to improve safety and help formalise South Africa's taxi industry, with the target of scrapping and replacing 80 percent of the old taxi fleet by 2010.

This year, government had allocated R7.7 billion for the rollout of the project nationally.

To date, more than 13 261 old taxi vehicles have been scrapped, amounting to payments of over R663 million.

With regards to crime, MEC Mhlahlo said there were 167 622 priority crime arrests in the Eastern Cape last year and 77 217 arrests for other offences.

Police conducted 134 260 stop and search operations.

Mr Mhlahlo said levels of crime, and in particular contact crimes, continued to decrease in comparison with the same period in the preceding year.

But the target of reducing crime levels by seven percent still remained a challenge, and the recovery of firearms would remain a priority and he said everyone should contribute to a weapons-free society.

He said R18.8 million has been allocated for community safety for the 2008/09 financial year, enabling the province to sharpen anti-crime campaigns.

“This year will see the reviving of the culture of mass mobilisation and active participation, with civil society, community- based organisations and all other formations forming a broad front against crime.” – BuaNews