North West MEC for Public Safety, Howard Yawa on Tuesday issued a stern warning to parties involved in taxi routes conflict in Ikageng, Potchefstroom that acts of violence, bullying and intimidation will not be tolerated in the public transport sector.
MEC Yawa’s warning follows investigation of a complaint referred to him by a Mahikeng Weekly publication, Mafikeng Mail last month regarding allegations of lack of police action to arrest perpetrators responsible for violence leveled against police by former City Press Journalist, Daniel Dhlamini.
Five cases of grievous bodily harm, common assault and malicious damage to property involving parties on either side of the conflict are on trial while three cases of contravening of a court order have been referred to the Senior State Prosecutor for a decision.
Dhlamini who is a member of Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA), Aksie Taxi Association had earlier in June obtained a court interdict against eight taxi operators as well as Interstate and Greater Potchefstroom Taxi Associations restraining them from obstructing him and his employees from conducting their taxi business, and threatening orassaulting them.
According a report submitted to MEC Yawa last week, the conflict allegedly arose regarding a route between Ikageng Extension 7 Rank and Potchefstroom Taxi Rank. Dhlaminipurportedlyinsists on transporting commuters between Extension 7 rank and Potchefstroom, whilst the two taxi associations, maintain that his operation should be restricted between Extension 11 and Potchefstroom.
Dhlamini’s taxi operating permit however allows him to operate his taxi anywhere between Ikageng and Potchefstroom Taxi rank and return.
The assault grievous bodily harm case in which Dhlamini is a complaint wenton trial last week Friday and was postponed to Thursday, 4 November 2010. Dhlamini’s son, Sello, is scheduled to answer to charges of grievous bodily harm, common assault and malicious damage to property in three cases that go on trial on Thursday, 28 October 2010.
Yawa is satisfied that police were objective in their intervention strategy and calculated risks involved during negotiations in order to prevent escalation of the conflict into a vicious cycle of taxi violence that would have endangered the lives of innocent commuters and members of the community.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 381 9123
Email: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
