MEDIA STATEMENT

PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE MEC FOR TRANSPORT IN KWAZULU-NATAL, JS NDEBELE, AT A MEDIA CONFERENCE HELD REGARDING THE CURRENT STATE OF THE TAXI INDUSTRY, Durban, 6 March 2000

After a thorough consultative discussion process with taxi stakeholders, KwaZulu-Natal Minister of Transport, Mr S'bu Ndebele wishes to announce three major steps towards ensuring a democratic, reliable and economically viable taxi industry.

These steps are aimed at briefing the public on our progress in terms of the Recapitalisation process and the setting up of a Commission of Enquiry to .deal with on-going taxi violence. They include:

• the recapitalisation of the taxi industry;
• the on-going taxi conflicts; and
• the democratisation process.

A meeting was convened on Tuesday (29/02/2000) at the DLI hall in Durban. After a robust discussion, which lasted almost eight hours, the meeting resolved to appoint five members to represent the greater Durban area on the provincial Taxi Task Team. This meeting was crucial in the sense that it dealt with deliberate confusion by some quarters with certain interests in the industry. Also, perceptions within the taxi industry and the public at large that the intentions contained in the programme were aimed at destroying the taxi industry were addressed. The meeting further resolved that the taxi industry in KwaZulu-Natal, in principle fully supports the Recapitalisation Project and assured the Department that it would speed up the process of briefing its respective constituencies.

It was also announced in November 1999 that a judicial commission of enquiry into taxi violence in KwaZulu-Natal was to be established. We have finalised the terms of reference of the Commission and we will immediately announce the actual operational set-up of this Commission. It is my obligation that anarchy cannot only be tolerated but has to be dealt with severely.

We cannot allow the future of this industry to be held at ransom by rogue elements that purport to enrich themselves through violent means. This commission will have full powers to deal with all aspects of taxi violence. The main focus areas will be:

• Ulundi/Mahlabathini;
• Empangeni;
• Eshowe;
• Durban Long Distance Taxi Association;
• Cato Manor/Chesterville; and
• Dalton.

I, as the MEC for Transport will be writing a letter to all Transitional Local Authorities (TLC's) to clarify two broad issues, which are of concern. The first is the unilateral decisions taken by certain TLC's to issue ranks to associations not registered by the Taxi Registrar. This tends to undermine the process of formalising the taxi industry and leads to violence. This intervention is aimed at stopping TLC's from taking such decisions.

The second issue relates to the reluctance of enforcement agencies such as the various traffic agencies and the SAPS to enforce all relevant laws and regulations under the misconception that they are not empowered under the interim Minibus Taxi Act. We want to ensure that all TLC's enforce all necessary laws to ensure the effective policing of the taxi industry.

For further information and enquiries please contact Mlungisi Ndhlela on
0825666781.
 

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