Authorities can’t be held to ransom by striking taxi owners and drivers

South Africa is a democratic country and people have a right to strike after approval has been granted by the authorities.

The taxi strike that took place in Tshwane on Wednesday was chaotic, as innocent people were beaten without provocation. Motorists were pelted with stones and railway lines were barricaded.

I am of the opinion that the striking taxi owners were unreasonable to ask the authorities to cancel their traffic fines as they have violated the rules of the road deliberately. They must pay their fines.

Most taxi drivers do not respect the rules of the road or other people’s lives.

If the provincial government agrees to cancel the traffic fines, then all the motorists who have outstanding traffic fines must have those cancelled as well.

Why should taxi drivers be treated differently? Taxi owners believe that they can do as they wish and they should get special treatment from the government.

If the government cancels the traffic fines, it will be creating a precedent that will affect state revenues.

The government should put its foot down and tell them to pay the outstanding fines. Should it allow itself to be dictated to by these ruffians, the country will become a banana republic like other countries on the continent.

N'wabvenula Phangani Mamelodi