Stop Mthatha’s taxi wars

THE taxi violence engulfing Mthatha over the past months refers. In September 2001 seven people, including taxi owners, were shot dead in cold blood just hours after attending a conference, at which the Uncedo Taxi association and Border Alliance were represented, in Durban aimed at ending taxi violence in the country. The attack happened on the N2 between Mt Frere and Qumbu.

In 2001, the KZN taxi commission resolved: “We are determined to cleanse the taxi industry of criminal elements, including those officials within the department of transport or other departments who are part and parcel of the network of bribing, corruption and protection”.

Looking at the current situation, it seems the resolutions taken at that conference have been entirely forgotten. Again the Eastern Cape, particularly Mthatha, is in the spotlight for taxi violence.

Taxi bosses, drivers and assistant drivers are targeted in barbaric and primitive acts. Commuters feel the impact and could be targets.

The department of transport and police must act to end this nonsensical misbehaviour before we are waist deep and cannot salvage the situation. Stop the low-voltage taxi warlords before they grow into fully fledged warlords. The lives of commuters who rely on taxis cannot be put at risk by these rogues. It’s time to clean up this mess. — Sanelisiwe N Funani, Ngqeleni