Today we lay to rest a leader of our people a business man and a leader of our community. Today we bury a father and head of a family whom we will never see again.
Death is a natural consequence of life. Each time one of us departs, our hearts will hurt for a long time. But when death comes naturally, in time we accept the inevitable, and soon our pain goes away.
It is however much more difficult to deal with death when a precious life is extinguished by the hand of an assassin. When this happens, our hearts bleed for longer. We linger for longer in the thought that our dreams were not accomplished, some mission not completed.
Our hearts are sore today. Our hearts are bleeding. This is because Mthuthuzeli Molefe bled to death when we thought it was too early for him to go. As government and the taxi industry we have worked hard to bring peace to the taxi industry.
We are hurt. We are shocked. We are disappointed. Where are these people who operate under the veil of darkness and whose deeds leave behind the cries of women, men and children? Where are these people who make orphans and widows of our communities? Where are these people?
Who are these people? Who are these people who extinguish the flames of life? Who are these people? Who are these elements of doom, the bringers of tragedy?
As we shed tears, we draw strength in the assurance by the Department of Police, including Commissioner Bheki Cele, that they will leave no stone unturned in bringing Molefe's killers to book. The long arm of the law will search for the killers, they will be arrested, they will be charged and sent to jail for a very long time.
We must send a clear message to others that society will not tolerate this type of behaviour. No life must be lost over a mere disagreement; no life should be lost because we are too angry to negotiate.
The National Joint Working Group (NJWG) on Public Transport, which we started as a Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) of the taxi industry, is about negotiating for a better future for all in the taxi industry. The agenda of the NJWG is broad and it includes all issues of concern to the taxi industry.
This project has the full and active support of SANTACO. We also have the active support of taxi owners and operators, the associations, the community of commuters, civil society and all levels of government to make sure that the NJWG is a success.
Let us use this painful event today to wipe away the pains of our people. Let us use this violent incident to permanently banish violence from our society. Let the cloud of the past give way to the clarity of vision. Our mission is to broaden the role of the taxi industry in our transport sector and in our economy. Together we can do it.
In closing, we would like to convey our sincerest condolences to Mr Molefe's entire family and friends through this painful period. On behalf of the Department of Transport and the entire government, please know we share your pain. We share your suffering as if it was our own. The pain is too much to bear; yet we must soldier on for tomorrow is another day for us to work towards a better future for all.
Thank you.
Issued by: Department of Transport
13 September 2009
