KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu, has declared that there is no crisis in the taxi industry, saying that any killing of taxi operators should be treated on its merits and in isolation.
Briefing the Transport Portfolio Committee at the Legislature today (Tuesday), Mchunu condemned the alarming incidents of killings but said there was no need to panic. He briefed members of the committee that problems which were experienced recently in the taxi industry related to power struggles as associations were about to hold elections across the province.
Yesterday a prominent taxi operator was shot and killed at Mbumbulu, south of Durban. At this stage the motive of the killing is not clear. However there are allegations that this might be linked to the upcoming Santaco elections. During the weekend, Ntuthuko Mthembu, a Durban taxi operator was killed on the road to Westville prison.
Mchunu agrees that there are areas with instability but assured members of the committee that security measures had been put in place to ensure enforcement in those areas.
“There is no need to panic because our view is that there is no crisis. We do, however, have isolated incidents of killings which police are currently dealing with. Areas like Mandeni, Bergville and KwaDukuza/Ballito. These are areas with instability but we don’t believe there is violence.
We have done lot of work digging deep into the modus operandi of those who are hired assassins in the taxi industry and we are convinced we are getting closer to knowing who they are and who they work with. We are concerned that there have been tensions and incidents which are reportedly regarding power struggles regarding upcoming elections,” said Mchunu.
Mchunu also shared with members a report on the KwaDukuza public transport riots. He
indicated that yesterday, he met with the community to report back on the progress of the bus
operations.
“We are hoping that the situation is going to normalize. We thank the people for showing cooperation and for working with us in addressing the situation,” said Mchunu.
For more information contact:
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: 072 803 1462 or 079 699 5755
