Taxi drivers stand up for foreigners
Taxi associations led a motorcade through Tshwane yesterday in a protest against xenophobia and to clear their names in the violence that broke out in the capital city last month.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) and the National Taxi Alliance (NTA) were part of the motorcade, which drove through the Pretoria CBD.
A small group walked in front of the motorcade, holding up placards speaking out against xenophobia, lawlessness, drug dealing and other issues.
“Today’s motorcade is all about clearing our name as the taxi industry,” Santaco spokesperson Mack Makata said. “In the past few weeks, there was looting and stints of xenophobia.
“We are saying no to xenophobia and, in the same breath, we are saying no to drugs as well, irrespective of nationality.”
Makata was referring to the recent chaos which unfolded in the CBD when foreigner-owned shops were targeted, looted and set alight.
The violence also spread to parts of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni. Twelve people were killed during the riots.
Taxi operators previously distanced themselves from the violence, saying their protest was against drug dealers after a driver was shot and killed when he accosted an alleged drug dealer.
“Perpetrators took advantage of an innocent protest by taxi operators, knowing the situation can get nasty. So, criminals saw an opportunity and did some looting. It is not in our nature to loot,” Makata said. – News24 Wires