Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
MEC questions content of taxi violence report
A REPORT into the recent spate of taxi violence that has gripped the city’s taxi industry has once again been delayed for release, this time by the MEC for Transport and Public Works who has questioned the contents of the findings.
MEC Donald Grant said that the report, which examines the fatal taxi violence incidents in Langa and Delft and was slated for release yesterday following a week’s delay, required “proper analysis”.
When questioned on the findings and when the report would be released, Grant said: “It’s going to take longer than we thought.
“We are going to wait for a proper analysis. It’s a question of the report being balanced. I’m looking for a sustainable solution.”
The report is headed by a department registrar, which comprises two advocates.
Grant referred the Weekend Argus to his spokesperson Siphesihle Dube, who said the MEC would release the report when he has it in his possession.
He didn’t respond to a request for an updated comment.
Speaking from Abu Dhabi yesterday, Police Minister Bheki Cele confirmed he was due to meet Cape Town taxi bosses in a follow-up meeting.
Following reported allegations of route invasions and illegal operators, among others, at least 15 drivers were killed in a wave of shootings in the taxi industry in the region this year alone.
Some of the shootings took place in Nyanga, Khayelitsha and Wynberg.
Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association provincial chairperson, Victor Wiwi, said they were awaiting the MEC’s feedback.
Spokesperson for the Congress of Democratic Taxi Associations, Besuthu Ndungane, said the department had not communicated anything to their organisation relating to the report.
professional’
professional. The English is perfect, and they use quality documents.”
The 419 scams or Advance Fee fraud have been around a long time. But still people fall for them.
In their latest annual digital banking report, market research company Columinate found that 22% of their respondents fell victim to these scams over the past year.
They found that 13% of respondents fell victim to the “Fee Loan” scam, 8% to the newer “you are a winner” scam, and interestingly, 6% admitted they were scammed by a traditional 419. The company based their research on the responses of more than 13 000 South African e-bankers.
Pieterse said it was important that victims reported these crimes to the police.
Many 419 con artists had been arrested in South Africa.
Cyber investigator Eckhard Volker said one client lost R1 million in an Advanced Fee scam. “The problem is that once your money has been taken it is difficult to get it back,” he said.
When Paul was asked for $500 to open a bank account, he became suspicious.
“I phoned and I got an answering machine. I had expected a switchboard. Thirty minutes later they called and said they really need the money to open the account. That was when I refused. By then it had cost me R30 000,” Paul said.