Cops take sides ’ in taxi violence

COFFEE POURED ON OWNER

POLICE have been accused of taking sides in a bitter taxi war in North West.

A female taxi owner who is a victim of the war between Brits Local and Long Distance Taxi Operators (Blaldto) and Hartbeespoort Dam Taxi Association (HTA) said officers refused to open a case after a rival taxi owner poured hot coffee over her face.

Fransinah Ralushe said a Blaldto member grabbed a cup of coffee and spilt the contents on her face during an argument over routes.

“Everyone, including the passengers, were there looking on helplessly, ” Ralushe said.

But her efforts to open a case at the Brits police station came to nought after a policeman allegedly told her that what she experienced was not a crime and that it was just taxi mafia fights.

“He told me straight to my face that he was not going to open a case because my face did not show any injury and that taxi owners are mafias so we must deal with our issues at the rank,” Ralushe said.

But Blaldto chairman Peter Dilebo blamed police for taking sides.

He said the situation was tense and that the association had already consulted with its lawyers.

“Our people are suffering. The police are refusing to help us but are quick to help any member of HTA. We do not know where to seek help,” Dilebo said.

Blaldto complains that the HTA does not have operating licences to ferry commuters from Brits to Hartbeespoort Dam but they are bullying them.

According to Blaldto members, their rivals demand money from them for no reason. They also stop their minibuses and order them to stop loading commuters.

Now taxi drivers hired by Blaldto members are allegedly resigning, fearing for their lives.

They say they are being threatened in front of passengers. HTA members have also allegedly adopted the hot coffee tactic to scare their rivals. Jerry Tseke, a taxi owner from Blaldto said four of his drivers have left this year.

“All of them complained that they are being harassed. They do not want our taxis to operate. We have permits, they don ’ t but they are bullying us,” Tseke said.

HTA chairman Thompson Makgwathana said the situation can be resolved.

“They must just listen to us. If we want our money we want it and we will stop their taxis if they refuse to listen,” he said.

Makgwathana said members of Blaldto were bitter because they decided to pull out from their association and started their own.

Police spokesman Paul Ramaloko said they will investigate.

“We view this complaint against Brits police in a serious light. They have an obligation to protect the victim and the suspect in a crime. Every matter that comes to the police must be treated according to its merits,” Ramaloko said.