province, following the recent spate of taxi related violence
22 November 2007
MEC I Jacobs has expressed his strong condemnation of continued taxi related
violence that has seen to the unacceptable loss of life of members of the
public, as well as taxi drivers and operators, in the taxi industry, despite
government efforts to help resolve disputes through dialogue. This also follows
a recent call by the provincial cabinet for the industry to help isolate and
report those responsible for violent acts in order to ensure that the public
travels under conditions of safety.
Earlier last month, a peace pledge to work towards ending taxi related
conflicts and violence was signed by the leadership of many taxi associations
operating from the Bree Street Taxi Rank, in the company of families who had
lost their loved ones as well as government representatives and the Gauteng
Commuter Organisation. The recent spate of violent shootings has left more than
12 taxi commuters and drivers and operators killed in the province.
In view of this unacceptable state of affairs, government took the following
steps:
* An urgent meeting was convened at Kibler Park Recreation Centre,
consisting of the leadership of taxi associations, wherein the Gauteng Public
Transport Registrar relayed a message from both Minister Radebe and MEC Jacobs
that enough is enough, the violence had to stop immediately.
* As directed by MEC Jacobs, the Gauteng Public Transport Registrar also
restated his position that he had made determinations and rulings on all public
transport routes in the province. Therefore, there is no route on which there
is no decision in Gauteng.
* The department also expressed its confidence in the ability of the police to
carry out the law and investigate the killings and to bring to book those
responsible so that they may face definite prosecution.
According to MEC Jacobs, government's promotion of public transport
continues to be compromised by the actions of a few people who are against
progress.
For more information contact:
Alfred Nhlapo
Department of Public Transport, Roads and Works
Tel: 011 355 7532
Cell: 083 376 8496
Issued by: the Gauteng Department of Public Transport, Roads and Works
22 November 2007
