Mchunu warns cops over taxi violence

Minister of transport Willies Mchunu attended a roadbloack at the Marrionhill Toll Plaza, where he adressed his staff Picture: Shelley Kjonstad

Minister of transport Willies Mchunu attended a roadbloack at the Marrionhill Toll Plaza, where he adressed his staff Picture: Shelley Kjonstad

Published Feb 7, 2016

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Newcastle - KwaZulu-Natal transport, community safety, and liaison MEC Willies Mchunu has vowed to crack down on police and other law enforcement agency members involved in fuelling taxi industry conflict in the province.

Addressing a report back meeting in eMadadeni, Newcastle, on progress made in stabilising the taxi industry after years of conflict and violence, Mchunu said strong allegations had emerged of police officers fuelling conflict within the industry.

Some were mentioned as either taxi owners or siding with factions battling it out for control of routes in the lucrative but volatile industry.

In particular, several reports of police officers and other members of law enforcement agencies being involved in fuelling taxi conflict in Newcastle had surfaced and were being investigated.

This would include members of the SA Police Service (SAPS), Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), and the Newcastle traffic unit, he said.

Mchunu urged members of the community to report instances where police officers were involved in perpetuating instability in the industry, saying law enforcement agencies had to always act in accordance with the law and ensure stability and fair application of the law.

“We are aware of strong allegations implicating law enforcement agencies who are owning taxis and also causing instability in the industry. Already high level investigations are underway to deal with this matter. We therefore urge members of the community to come forward with the information in this regard.

“The taxi conflict badly affected the community of Newcastle. We’ve reached a point of peace and communicating the message that users of public transport deserve a better service from the operators, who have also acknowledged their faults.

“We are convinced, judging from the commitment of all the associations in the negotiation process, that there shall be no violence again in Newcastle. As government, we will continue working hard to facilitate dialogues and move with speed in resolving conflict in the taxi industry,” said Mchunu.

Among key security measures introduced by government as part of the intervention was the improved rank management system, with CCTV cameras, permanent security personnel hired by the municipality, and a proper identification mechanism of all legal operators.

Government was now in the process of issuing operating licenses, with 217 already issued, as part of legalising operations and restoring law and order, he said.

African News Agency

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