MEC pulls taxi associations off road

61 people killed in violence since 2014

KwaZulu-Natal transport MEC Mxolisi Kaunda yesterday shut down two taxi associations as an “extraordinary” measure to deal with escalating industry violence.

Sizwe Transport and Klipriver taxi associations both had their operating licences revoked due to a spate of killings in the Ladysmith area in recent months.

This decision‚ said Kaunda‚ was an attempt to “restore calm‚ peace and stability in a conflict-ridden area”.

Scores of taxi operators‚ their family members and innocent citizens have been caught up in the violence.

“Violence in this region has a long history. Since 2014‚ there have been high levels of unrest and violence‚ which have claimed the lives of 61 people‚ particularly in the routes operated by Sizwe Transport and Klipriver taxi associations‚” said Kaunda.

While there was relative peace in the past three years‚ following government intervention‚ more recent incidents spurred Kaunda back into action. The clashes are over contested routes. “In October‚ I was alerted to the fact that about six people had been killed in the conflict involving Sizwe and Klipriver taxi associations.

“I then proactively assigned officials from my department to engage with the two associations. Unfortunately‚ only one association attended. Furthermore‚ I personally convened a meeting with the two associations in a bid to prevent more killings‚ owing to each association claiming to be the rightful owners of the routes at the centre of the conflict.

“While in the middle of the talks‚ we were then alerted to the brutal killing of the deputy chairperson of the Klipriver Taxi Association‚ Mr Mzikayifani Ngobese‚ two members of his family‚ his two bodyguards‚ and five school teachers and one male passenger.

“To us‚ this incident demonstrated the extent to which members of these two associations undermine the authority of the state‚ and thereby act as if they are not governed by the laws of this country.”

Immediately after the incident‚ Kaunda called another meeting. “It is unfortunate that even after this latter meeting‚ people continued to die. On November 24‚ I convened yet another meeting with both associations to urge them to resolve their dispute.

“The fact that two people were killed after this meeting‚ was also a clear indication that the taxi operators were not prepared to sit down and resolve their differences‚” he said.

With seemingly no solution at hand‚ Kaunda said he took the step of revoking both associations’ licences for six months – starting today.