Taxi routes remain shut – Cele
Minister says ‘heartless’ industry must learn lesson
POLICE Minister Bheki Cele has told “heartless and greedy” taxi bosses who have enjoyed “blood money” that he was not planning on reopening the operating routes and taxi ranks – at least not for now.
Cele was addressing leaders of taxi associations, municipal heads, traditional leaders including abaThembu acting King Azenathi Dalindyebo, the clergy and government officials in Mthatha on Thursday evening.
Cele, who authorised the closure of three lucrative operating routes and ranks because of the ongoing taxi violence that claimed more than 60 lives since 2016, stressed that he would only lift the ban once industry captains had “sobered up”.
Taxi bosses this week agreed to end the bloodshed when they signed a peace accord, hoping that Cele would give them the thumbs up to operate this weekend. “It cannot be that easy after you showed how heartless and greedy you are when within 18 months you killed more than 60 of your colleagues and other innocent souls and enjoyed blood money accumulated during the peak of the taxi violence,” Cele told the dejected taxi leaders.
Speaking about the peace accord Uncedo Service Taxi Association (Usta) and Border Alliance Taxi Associations (Bata) signed before O R Tambo mayor Nomakhosazana Meth, the minister said he was still not convinced to give taxi bosses the green light.
“I still have to test your sobriety. I must make sure that indeed you have sobered up. Should there be one person killed, the industry will be shut down for three months, if not forever.
“I am paid for ensuring that your lives and the lives of the people of South Africa are protected at all costs. We cannot compare loss of businesses to loss of life. Taxi operations here still remain closed indefinitely,” Cele said.
He, however, expressed concern that the government had not been able to provide alternative transport, especially for school pupils.
He promised to return to Mthatha to meet taxi bosses, and then decide whether to reopen the routes.
Since the taxi ban on March 27, transport MEC Weziwe Tikana and Meth had several meetings with Usta and Bata bosses, trying to find a lasting solution to the violence.
Then on Tuesday, captains of industry committed to end the violence and resolved that:
● All taxis must remove association stickers;
● Taxi ranks be taken over and managed by local municipalities;
● Taxis operating on the same route load from one rank;
● Develop strict municipal bylaws regulating taxi operations;
● Constant monitoring of the peace accord and smooth taxi operations; and
● Operators to operate on their permitted routes.
In previous cases, taxi bosses signed peace agreements which were later violated, allegedly by drivers and assistant drivers.
To guard against this from happening again, it was resolved that drivers be taken on board and be part of the peace accord.
“Drivers and conductors will be taken to a workshop and have their behaviour improved towards dealing with passengers. Also key is to train them to be compliant on the agreements of the peace accord and ensure its implementation,” said Meth’s spokesman Ayongezwa Lungisa.
Hundreds of people have been left stranded by the four-week taxi ban, with scores walking to and from work and schools.
A taxi is fined R4 000 and its disc removed if found operating in the closed routes. Several men believed to be involved in the taxi violence, including six suspected hitmen have been arrested since last month. —