MEDIA STATEMENT

SEVEN PEOPLE AMBUSHED AT THULINI

KwaZulu-Natal Minister of Transport, Mr S'bu Ndebele has called on all provincial taxi associations to refrain from resorting to violence to achieve sinister objectives.

The Minister's call comes in the wake of seven people being ambushed at Thulini near Kranskop last night (2000/04/12). It is alleged that certain members of one of the associations in the Kranskop area were leaving the rank on their way home when they were ambushed by unknown assailants. Also, in the kombi was a female passenger. Her identity has not yet been confirmed . Several rounds of AK-47 and 9mm spent cartridges were found at the scene.

This ambush needs to be condemned by all sectors of our community, including the taxi industry itself. Mr Ndebele calls upon the taxi industry to work tirelessly with the SAPS, including the intelligence community to expose these beasts who are bent on further tarnishing the image of this industry, particularly at a critical period when the government has put in place practical economic empowerment mechanisms. Such mechanisms cannot be implemented under unstable conditions of violence, anarchy and fear.

A meeting was held yesterday between Minister Ndebele and Minister Mthetwa to discuss the taxi problems in the Msinga area over the Johannesburg routes. This meeting resolved that an agreement would be signed by all affected parties regarding the sharing of routes.

Also, a meeting will be held tomorrow (2000/04/14) with senior police officials to discuss taxi violence in the province.

Minister Ndebele said he and his department would nevertheless continue to mediate conflict between associations. We will do our best to ensure that no lives are lost in taxi conflict. I urge all associations to co-operate with us and not to resort to violence.

We are therefore appealing to all stakeholders to be courageous and expose the perpetrators of this heinous crime. They must face the full might of the law.

Mr Ndebele sends his deepest condolences to the families, friends and relatives of the deceased.

For further information and enquiries please contact Kwazi Mbanjwa on 082 808 1736.
 

back