MEDIA STATEMENT

DATE 16 FEBRUARY 2005
TO ALL MEDIA
ATTENTION: NEWS EDITORS / REPORTERS 

 
60 DRIVERS WERE ARRESTED AND 60 MINIBUSES IMPOUNDED

After a decision by the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Mr. Bheki Cele to suspend Mpumalanga Taxi Association and Pinetown Taxi Owners Association and to close ranks on the 14 February 2005. Public Transport Enforcement Unit and other law enforcement agencies has arrested 60 drivers and impounded 60 minibuses that were operating after the closure of taxi ranks to Mpumalanga.

Yesterday, 20 minibuses were impounded - 7 from Pinetown and 13 from Mpumalanga. Today (16 Feb. 05) 40 minibuses were impounded - 15 from Pinetown and 25 from Mpumalanga. Drivers were also arrested. MEC Bheki Cele said "We are serious about implementing the decision of the tribunal. No taxi association will operate until an amicable solution is reached. We will continue to arrest those who are not complying with the ruling. I will also be interacting with community of Mpumalanga on Sunday about this issue of taxi conflict".

 

Issued By:  Mawande Jubasi
Director: Media Liaison & Public Relations
KZN Department of Transport
Cell: 082 805 5748

 

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