Durban - A few “trigger-happy and stubborn” elements responsible for the instability in the taxi industry must be isolated, says Premier Senzo Mchunu.
He has also warned against further disregard of state authority.
Mchunu was speaking on Sunday after the signing of a working agreement involving the provincial government, taxi associations and the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (Psira) in KwaDukuza (Stanger), which falls under the iLembe district municipality.
In terms of the agreement, all parties have agreed to work together to ensure unhindered law enforcement.
The signing of the agreement follows a meeting convened by the premier to deal with ongoing taxi violence involving Mandeni, KwaMaphumulo, KwaDukuza and Dolphin Coast Taxi associations.
The associations have employed security companies that have also been blamed for fuelling taxi-related violence.
The spiralling incidents of violence, which date back to 1988, have resulted in several deaths. More than 42 cases of murder, attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms were being investigated by the police, according to Mchunu.
“This province not long ago emerged from a very difficult and devastating period of low intensity politically motivated warfare.
“We are all aware of the huge amounts of sorrow, grief, loss, displacements and several other horrors this violence brought to the citizens of this province,” the premier said.
“We do not wish to see a return to that state of lawlessness which saw the loss of mostly innocent lives.
“There are a few trigger-happy and stubborn elements which are responsible for the instability in the taxi industry and these individuals must be isolated.”
Mchunu added: “We must make a difference between ‘chance-takers’ or so-called ‘izinkabi or hit men’ and those who are earning a legitimate living.
“Our message as government is that you must never allow bad elements to destroy your business which is legitimate.
“Izinkabi must be isolated as they will never bring long-lasting solutions to the problems facing the industry.”
The premier said Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Willies Mchunu had been briefing his executive council about problems confronting the taxi industry in Ilembe and other parts of the province.
“These were further discussed in the executive council lekgotla in August in Durban. During this lekgotla we all agreed that an urgent intervention was needed to ensure a long-lasting peace and stability in the industry.
“What is more distressing is that many leaders in Ilembe district have decided to stay out of the conflict out of fear and concern for their own safety. This indicates the seriousness and importance of the meeting of the KZN government, leadership of municipalities, taxi associations, political parties and the security industry.”
Premier Mchunu said it was important for all stakeholders within the taxi industry to realise that they “cannot wish one another away”.
“You must acknowledge the reality that you are all in this business together in order to earn a legitimate living by providing an essential service of transporting people from home to their destinations, and back.
“It is only with this spirit of goodwill, commitment and co-operation that we will see peace and prosperity prevail in this increasingly tension-filled environment.”
Bafana Mhlongo, secretary of the KZN Taxi Alliance, said they were not part of the initiative, and therefore could not comment.
Sam Chauke, national director at Psira, said the signing of the agreement was an endeavour to get the industries to comply with the law.
Daily News