MEDIA STATEMENT

STATEMENT ON EMPANGENI-ESIKHAWINI TAXI CONFLICT

MEC for Transport, Sbu Ndebele, is disturbed by the renewed unnecessary taxi violence in the Empangeni area.

The Empangeni and Esikhawini areas have been plagued by a simmering taxi route conflict over the past two weeks. The two associations involved are the Esikhawini Taxi Association and the A Rank Association.

The Esikhawini Taxi Association is based in Empangeni and is currently operating the route between town and Esikhawini. The A Rank Association wants to operate the same route.

The Esikhawini Association submitted a complaint to the Empangeni council and the Department of Transport (DOT) about the matter. As far as the DOT is concerned, the Esikhawini Association has the right to that route because they have been registered as the recognised Association for the route.

They have been operating there for many years without any problems. they therefore have the legal right to that route. The DOT communicated this conclusion to the SAPS of the area as well as the Protection Service of the local town council.

DOT expects the SAPS to act decisively and protect the Esikhawini Association and they should be allowed to operate freely.

The DOT in consultation with the SAPS are to act decisively to an extent that they should impound any taxi involved in any of the road blockades intended to influence the negotiations on this matter.

Commuters and the public at large cannot be held at ransom by unruly and greedy taxi operators who want to take law unto their own hands. Security personnel is being beefed up and perpetrators will face the full might of the law.

DOT will not tolerate anyone or organisation that undermines the democratic process that endeavours to empower the taxi industry.

A meeting has been arranged for tomorrow with all relevant stakeholders to iron out the conflict.

back