Acting MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has condemned the disruptions of taxi operations at the KwaDukuza taxi rank by illegal taxi operators, saying lawlessness will not be tolerated in the industry.
Dhlomo’s comment comes in the wake of disruption allegedly by a group of illegal operators affiliated to the Maphumulo Taxi Association, who invaded the taxi rank and threatened to take over operations. The incident took place yesterday at the KwaDukuza taxi rank, where both the KwaDukuza and Maphumulo taxi associations are operating.
Immediately after receiving these disturbance reports, MEC Dhlomo called an urgent meeting with the leadership of KwaMaphumulo taxi association. In the meeting, the KwaMaphumulo taxi association’s leadership distanced itself from the disruptions and condemned the incident, saying this is led by illegal operators, who are opposing the current leadership of the association. It also emerged that some disgruntled operators are mobilising illegal operators to forcefully operate and invade taxi ranks to cause instability.
MEC Dhlomo expressed concerns that commuters were affected and could not access the long distance taxi rank in KwaDukuza as a result of these acts. “We are opposed to any form of disruptions in the taxi industry, mainly because commuters then become the main victims. We convened this meeting with the association to ensure that operations return to normal and to avoid escalation into violence.
The Department of Transport is also opposed to illegal operators invading the industry because this results in conflict and violence. Working with the local municipality we will tighten control of the taxi rank and police are monitoring the situation very closely,” said MEC Dhlomo.
The meeting resolved that enforcement agencies will be deployed to monitor the situation and that South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) should facilitate the process of engaging legal operators under Maphumulo who are working with illegal operators in a bid to achieve unity and
stability.
MEC Dhlomo has also condemned the violent behaviour by members of KwaDukuza today, who allegedly staged an illegal march to the local municipality and vandalised the property.
Enquiries:
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: 072 803 1462/ 079 699 5755
E-mail: Kwanele.Ncalane@kzntransport.gov.za
Nathi Sukazi
Cell: 081 018 0518/ 082 565 0205
E-mail: Nathi.Sukazi@kzntransport.gov.za
Tel: 033 355 0517/ 8664
