MEC warns taxi operators to stop violence, threatening commuters’ lives

Department of Roads and Transport 2020/07/22 - 22:00



MEC Jacob Mamabolo strongly condemned incidents of violence where a bus, belonging to Ipelegeng Bus Services, was allegedly shot at and set alight in Sebokeng in the Sedibeng District Municipality.

According to reports, an Ipelegeng bus driver was allegedly accosted by occupants in four taxis and two private vehicles in Zone 12, Sebokeng on Tuesday, 20 July 2020.

Condemning the violence, MEC Mamabolo indicated that lawlessness in the public transport sector will not be condoned under any circumstances. He also called on the law enforcement agencies to speedily bring those involved to book.

"We are deeply worried that if the perpetrators of this incident are not brought to book, we might see a surge in torching of other public transport modes of transport, something that has the potential to destabilize the province. We call on law enforcement officials to prioritise this matter".

He reiterated that the Department has always opened its doors to all transport operators to raise issues without resorting to violence.

Addressing Sedibeng taxi operators at the launch of the Taxi Ranks Support Committees, the MEC encouraged the local leadership to isolate those involved and assist law enforcement officials with their investigations.

"Violence and destruction of property will never resolve challenges as they only serve to  inconvenience other operators and put the lives of commuters in danger.The torching of the bus and intimidation of bus operators clearly shows a total disregard for the rule of law. This should never be tolerated and those involved have clearly crossed the line. We will ensure that rule of law prevails and triumphs over the rule of the barrel of the gun" said the MEC.

The bus company has since ceased operations affecting over 3,500 commuters in Orange Farm, Evaton, Sebokeng, Meyerton and Bophelong, areas in the Sedibeng District Municipality.

MEC Mamabolo later visited Ipelegeng Transport Trust bus depot where he encouraged the company to resume operations the next day.

"We will not be intimidated by taxi warlords. Taxi associations and their leadership should renounce the violence and stop intimidating and putting the lives of commuters in danger. If allegations that taxi operators have a hand in this are proven to be true, we will not hesitate to put the associations involved under administration”.

"The leadership should assist law enforcement agencies to get to the bottom of this and ensure that perpetrators of this violence are arrested and prosecuted, "Mamabolo said.

The MEC added that the taxi operators must appreciate competition in the transport sector and cannot, in any way, force commuters to use their services.

"Commuters have an unalienable right to choose any mode of transport and exercise their choice. We call upon the taxi industry to appreciate efforts of building a gun-free industry and refrain from using killing machines as these end up harming the very same people that initially brought them into the taxi industry," warned the MEC.

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