Have you suffered at the hands of tough “enforcers” and vulgar Weyala’s at one of the crowded taxi-ranks? Chances are you have. Society vents its spleen on this ‘legalized’ hooliganism.

Ah, dear society, the woe of the Addis commuter is an untold story of verbal and physical abuse, overcharging for cramped transport and perilous commute in unsafe, uninsurable vehicles.
There is a point when unregulated business becomes more than just a nuisance. The current indifference by the authorities to the glaring hooliganism at taxi-ranks by self-appointed “monitors’ (who are really thugs) who would as soon rob you in broad daylight as shove you in or unceremoniously pull your sad self out of dilapidated taxis.
It’s not that it’s a case of all taxi rank enforcers bad and all of society all good. Far from it. The problem arises (or arose) in the hooligan background of many taxi-touts, drivers and of course the “tera-askebari”.“Enforcer of the (taxi) rank. Society has noted that often, the latter are outright bullies. We are not pleased that the very few and far between decent taxi and rank operators can hardly be noted for the dastardly behavior of thier ‘colleagues’. At this point, we should list a couple of the more serious problems the public encounters at taxi ranks.

Total Disregard for Traditional Values
Ethiopians are by nature and culture very sensitive about showing and receiving respect. This includes the almost reverent way in which the elderly are accorded due respect. It is too common these days to hear a ‘weyala’, enforcer or driver address an old lady with ‘Anchi’ (dimunitive form of you) instead of ‘Antu’ or even more respectfuly as “Erso”. There is no logical reason why senior citizens should be treated in such un Ethiopic a manner. It makes you wonder if they have parents at all…

Browbeating and Vulgarism
There is a wonderful Amharic saying which I’m afraid loses some of its effect when translated, ‘Ke’ Fitfitu Fitu’. It’s a play on two words- ‘Fitfit’- an injera and sauce mix and ‘Fit’-meaning face. It translates roughly as ‘Rather a happy face than the meal.’ This shows us how much a person’s welcoming visage is preferred to a stern demeanor with treats.
This saying has not reached the taxi-ranks. The commuter is glared at, insulted, often in unspeakably dirty language and for fear of loosing face, the hapless passenger tolerates the injustices. It is high time that taxi rank hooligans are red carded for good.

What should be done about taxi rank
hooliganism?

Hooliganism is all around us but it is true that it is more common at taxi ranks and also at bus-stops. Rush hours are particularly bad as we all know. I think the authorities are not fulfilling their duty of protecting the public. The only kind of people taxi-rank workers fear are those that are bigger than they are, we need more and stricter regulation.

Kidu,metal worker

I used to be a ‘Weyala’ (mini-bus taxi tout ) before I became a driver. I am the first to admit that there is a serious discipline issue at taxi ranks but I say that we should keep things in perspective. There are many of us that are law abiding and very respectful to our client passengers. Why should all of us be painted with the same brush?

Haimanot, cabbie

I have noted that the behavior of taxi operators and the ‘Terra-Askebari’ guys worsens in direct proportion to commuter demand. They are almost too polite when business is slow. They call me “Gashe” (Sir) and address me as ‘Antu’ because they are desparate to fill up with passengers. The same Weyala, at 5:00 PM, turns into a monster. For that matter, we commuters are not exactly on our best behavior during rush hour.

Mesfin, barber

There have been a couple of times when I actually exchanged blows at a taxi-rank. I think I gave as good as I got but it was not a memorable experience. I was bruised, my clothes torn and worse; I was robbed of my new cell-phone. My advice is to let the hooligans be hooligans. Just be quiet, hold your temper and contain your fists. Resisting or otherwise confronting these rascals is only to play into their hands.

Kebru, teacher