South Africa's minibus taxi industry is a multi-billion Rand industry, carrying up to 60% of SA commuters.
Vehicles are generally a 12-16-seater commuter VW-type bus which are usually unsafe or not roadworthy. Minibus taxi drivers are notorious for their disregard for the road rules and for overloading their vehicles with passengers.
'Due to an effectively unregulated market and the fierceness of competition for passengers and lucrative routes, taxi operators band together to form local and national associations. These associations soon exhibited mafia-like tactics, including the hiring of hit-men and all-out gang warfare.' (Wikipedia)
Because of the aggressive driving tactics that the minibus drivers use - they are usually the cause of many fatal deaths on our roads. The rest of us have got used to watching our side mirrors and preparing ourselves for unusual and creative taxi driving manoeuvres.
Great shot. The taxi's are something else in South Africa. I had one hooting behind me the other day because I actually did not want to ride over the red robot :)
