Joint media statement Minister of the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Police on violent attacks between the meter taxi and e-hailing drivers (Uber Operators)
The Minister of Transport, Mr Joe Maswanganyi and the Minister of Police, Mr Fikile Mbalula met yesterday, Wednesday, 19 July 2017, to discuss the increasing violent attacks involving the Meter Taxi Operators and the E-hailing Operators, particularly in the Gauteng province.
The Ministers appealed for calm, whilst government is finalising the National Land Transport Act amendment Bill which is currently before parliament. The Amendment Bill will include E-hailing public transport services.
The Ministers also emphasised the provision of the National Land Transport Act on the Regulation of road-based public transport.
The Act states that No person may operate a road-based public transport service, unless he or she is the holder of an operating licence or a permit, subject to sections 47, 48 and 49 of this Act.
This regulation therefore means that any operator who operates a public transport service without an Operating Licence will be violating the law and Law Enforcement Officers will act on such an operator.
The Ministers denounced violence and strongly warned the affected parties to immediately seize acts of intimidation and disorder that has engulfed the industry.
Following this meeting, the Law Enforcement Agencies will be deployed in all the identified hotspots and perpetrators of violence and intimidation will be arrested.
The Ministers also appealed to the affected parties to stop any public spats that fuel and prolong the tension.
The Ministers called on the members of the public who might have any information that might lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of this violence to contact their nearest Police Station or to report the incidences by calling the 10111 number.
The Minister of Transport will soon be meeting both the Meter Taxi Operators as well as the E-Hailing Operators. Details of the meeting will be made available to the public.
Enquiries:
Ishmael Mnisi
Cell: 072 566 0827
Vuyo Mhanga
Cell: 0766365193
