KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Mr Willies Mchunu’s intervention had led to the successful signing of a peace deal and working agreement by two rival associations in Ntuzuma, Durban.
Yesterday, MEC Mchunu met with the leadership of the Ntuzuma and Pieseng taxi associations to resolve their long standing feud, which has claimed the lives of innocent commuters.
Before meeting with the leadership of both associations, MEC Mchunu met with the community leadership of Ntuzuma to engage them on government plans to end the ongoing violence in the area.
Incidents of random shootings allegedly involving security companies employed by the two associations have been reported in the recent past and this has threatened the safety of commuters who rely on taxis for their daily transport needs. Last week, an innocent commuter, Vincent Gumede was shot and killed in Ntuzuma on New Road when shooting allegedly ensued between the two security companies.
MEC Mchunu together with community leaders visited the Gumede family to convey condolences and show the family sympathy on behalf of government and the industry.
After a long day of robust engagements, yesterday’s meeting resolved:
- that both associations must immediately withdraw services of the security companies to ensure that peace and stability prevail in the area.
- they also agreed on sharing the New Road picking spots until court challenges on route disputes are concluded.
- that they will stop launching illegal ranks in the area to avoid conflict.
Mchunu who was chairing the meeting, welcomed this peace deal and working agreement between the two associations, saying this will restore order and normalise public transport operations in the area.
"The fact that you have agreed to non-violent and peaceful engagements is important. It is unfortunate that people had to lose their lives before you realised the need to resolve this matter amicably. As government we will monitor on daily basis all the operations in Ntuzuma and ensure that you all honour the agreed working agreement," Mchunu said at the end of the meeting.
"This agreement is a commitment to non-violence and we support it. This will restore normal operations and save people’s lives," added Mchunu.
MEC Mchunu also indicated that he will soon be meeting with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) to discuss the conduct of the security companies involved in the taxi violence and killings in the province.
He assured all parties that police deployment will continue to ensure effective monitoring of the situation in the area.
Media contacts:
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: 072 803 1462 or 079 699 5755
E-mail: Kwanele.ncalane@kzntransport.gov.za
Nathi Sukazi
Cell: 081 018 0518 or 082 565 0205
E-mail: Nathi.Sukazi@kzntransport.gov.za
Twitter: @KZNTransport
