MEDIA ALERT

CELE SAYS TAXI STRIKE HAVE DECLARED A WAR AGAINST COMMUNITIES

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Mr. Bheki Cele has received reports of striking taxi operators engaging in acts of brutal intimidation against innocent communities.

Cele said he had received confirmation from the SAPS, Metro Police and the Road Traffic Inspectorate that the strikers had resumed their strategy of stoning busses and non-striking taxis. There have been reports of them assaulting and robbing drivers as well as ordinary private vehicles providing lifts for desperate commuters.

The incidents happened in the following areas:

• In Empangeni and Esikhawini: Strikers have blockaded the roads from Ngwelezane and are assaulting private vehicles giving lifts to commuters.

• Clermont: A Thokomala Bus Driver assaulted and two busses shot at.

• In Durban North: Two strikers were arrested after busses were stoned and six innocent passengers injured. The strikers also blockaded the Nandi and Phoenix Drive refusing all motorists the right to use the road, while in KwaMashu; commuters are being forced out of busses.

Cele said this was a strategy adopted by the alliance at its meeting held at the DLI Hall yesterday.

"We know they took a resolution to stop any form of transport moving and transporting people. Clearly this is not a strike to highlight their grievances, but they have a bigger agenda. Why target innocent passengers when their conflict is with the department."

Cele further said that he has instructed the SAPS, Metro Police and the RTI to step up operations that will ensure that those that break the law are apprehended and face the full might of the law.

"We will not only deal with the ordinary striker who breaks the law, but will even investigate charges against their leaders who obviously gave these instructions. This declaration of war on the people of KwaZulu-Natal was taken at the Alliance’s meeting, and this government will not hesitate and neglect its duty to protect the people of this province," he concluded.

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