Taxi drivers have turned a business site into an undesignated taxi rank in Thohoyandou.

Staff members at Speedy Tyre & Exhaust, Shell Garage and Sharp Sharp Auto Electrical say they are now losing business, due to the taxis that invade their business premises on a daily basis.

One of the employees, who refused to be named for fear of victimization, said the problem started middle last year. "The taxis would stop everywhere here, obscuring our buildings and hooting like hell! We cannot even hear each other when talking, because of the hooters and sound systems of the taxis. They even block the entrances, which makes it very difficult for our customers to get in."

The staff member continued that they have done everything to convince the taxi drivers to stop their actions. "They must go and load at the taxi rank instead of disturbing the peace here. We are really fed-up and we can no longer do our job effectively. Something must be done before it is too late."

The Traffic Division Manager at the Thulamela Municipality, Mr Thilivhali Mulaudzi, said he was aware of the problem. He said the municipal traffic division was doing its best to enforce traffic laws at the said business site. "We are issuing fines to taxi drivers at the said spot on a daily basis. They just keep on coming back and loading here instead of working at the taxi rank. We will continue issuing fines every day and ensure that we are always visible here."