MEDIA STATEMENT

ROGUE ELEMENTS HELL-BENT ON DISRUPTING TAXI PEACE AGREEMENT

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Mr S'bu Ndebele, has said that there are rogue elements involved in the taxi industry that are hell-bent on disrupting the peace agreement brokered between the Durban Long Distance Taxi Association (DLDTA) and the Durban Taxi Owners Association (DTOA) because they are threatened by the prospect of a unified and controlled industry in the province.

Minister Ndebele made this statement after last night's drive-by shooting involving a mini-bus taxi which left one person dead and fifteen others injured. Princess (uMntwanm) Ntobe Zulu, 23 years old, was killed in the incident that occurred at Mthonjaneni near Eshowe. The taxi was ferrying passengers from Durban to Mahlabathini.

Just a few weeks ago the DTOA and the DLDTA signed a peace agreement to work together. A week later, a peace gathering held at the Enyokeni Palace of His Majesty, King Goodwill Zwelithini, concretised this agreement.

"Other sinister ways of dealing with this conflict have failed in the past. It is only through a dedicated commitment to the peace agreement by all parties that we will achieve lasting peace. We therefore call for the total isolation of these culprits and for those who know their identities to come forward and expose them. These culprits are resorting to violence to ensure that tension is sustained. Despite all our efforts and the genuine commitment of some leaders within the industry to resolve this matter, these evil forces will, in desperation, continue to incite and destabilise the industry. However, we are determined to work together with the police to ensure the successful arrest and prosecution of these criminals. We can only succeed with the full co-operation of the public." Mr Ndebele said.

Minister Ndebele said these incidents come at a time when negotiations have achieved a breakthrough and both these associations are currently operating as a unified body.

Minister Ndebele also expressed his condolences to the family of Princess Ntobe Zulu and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

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