×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Taximen cry foul over Inyathis

UNHAPPY: Steven Maphanga with one of his Inyathi minibuses he says are always having mechanical problems. Pic. Andrew Hlongwane. 11/04/2010. © Sowetan.
UNHAPPY: Steven Maphanga with one of his Inyathi minibuses he says are always having mechanical problems. Pic. Andrew Hlongwane. 11/04/2010. © Sowetan.

MPUMALANGA taxi operators who bought minibuses manufactured by a Chinese company are complaining about the poor quality of the vehicles.

They claim that the taxis, known as Inyathis, are always breaking down - which costs them a lot of money every month.

One of the owners, Steyn Mashaba, says another thing that frustrated him was that he was paying R10000 in monthly instalments for the two taxis he bought in 2008.

"Since I bought these vehicle I have been struggling financially because I don't make any profit.

"Meanwhile, every week, I must have a budget to keep them operating.

"Last year I was forced to go and borrow money in order to keep up with the instalments.

"We are facing a difficult situation here because we don't even know where to report this crisis," Mashaba says.

Another owner, Steven Maphanga, who also owns two Inyathi minibuses, says the taxis have a problem of overheating and have faulty axles.

"I bought my minibus taxi in 2007 and it has only 2000km on the clock, but it has already started to overheat. I replaced the water pump but the problem persisted.

"This shows that Inyathis have a factory problem."

The owners say they are planning to approach the relevant authorities about the matter.

This types of minibuses are being manufactured by China Auto Manufactures (CAM).

When contacted for comment, CAM business development manager Antan Khan said the taxi operators should feel free to approach them.

"They must approach us so that we can listen to their individual problems. They must talk to us if they have problems concerning our vehicles," he said.

Khan assured owners that the Inyathi minibuses met the requirements of the South African Bureau of Standards.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.