MEDIA ALERT

MEC BHEKI CELE CONDEMNED VIOLENT INCIDENTS AT TAXI STRIKE

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Mr. Bheki Cele has condemned the violent acts that occurred in KwaMashu, Mbumbulu and Inanda today due to taxi strikes which resulted in attacks and the stoning of taxi drivers who were not on strike by those who were protesting.

Not all areas in KZN were affected. The most affected area was KwaMashu and surroundings. Police are busy monitoring the situation and they are doing all they can to protect passengers and taxi drivers who are operating.

The KZN Transport Department held two meetings with the KZN Transport Alliance (KZNTA) and another meeting is due to take place soon. MEC Cele said "although he understood that it is the constitutional right of the KZN Transport Alliance to go on strike, he didn’t see any need for the strike because all issues that were raised by taxi operators are still open for discussion".

He further said KZNTA must clarify which body they represent - minibus taxis, buses or illegal van operators?

MEC Cele has also instructed all law enforcement agencies including the Road Traffic Inspectorate, Public Transport Enforcement Unit, SAPS, and Metro Police to ensure that passengers and drivers are safe, and peace on the roads is maintained. The KZN Department of Transport will continue with its mandate to ensure that the people of the province are provided with a safe, efficient and affordable transport service.

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