The minibus taxi associations’ reign of terror on public roads in Mpumalanga to retain absolute monopoly over transport services is shocking and unacceptable, and the FF Plus demands that action be taken at the highest level.
Video footage in the party’s possession clearly shows individuals presumably acting as the taxi associations’ “security services” or strong men intimidating and threatening motorists.
Vehicles are even forced off the road before payment of so-called “fines” is demanded. The FF Plus has received many complaints about this, and the TV channel Newzroom Africa has also reported on it in detail.
And yet it appears that authorities are dragging their feet. So far, the police have not arrested anyone and last week in the Provincial Legislature, the FF Plus implored the province’s MEC for Community Safety, Jackie Macie, to take action.
Mr Macie acknowledged that he is aware of the “growing problem” and undertook to urgently launch an investigation into the matter.
The perpetrators’ arrogance is clearly evident in the conduct of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) chairperson, Fanyana Sibanyoni, who said on TV that the association has “the right” to stop any motorist and prohibit them from offering lifts if they are travelling on a taxi route.
The FF Plus is in possession of video footage of an incident on the N4 highway near Ogies which shows a motorist being forced off the road in a life-threatening situation.
Another cell phone recording shows another incident in which the same or a similar “taxi patrol vehicle” tries to force a Chevrolet car to stop.
In a related incident, the car of one individual who reportedly gave his neighbour a lift was stolen. The perpetrators allegedly demanded that he pay a “fine” of R2 500 to get his car back and he was warned not to offer lifts again.
Colonel Donald Mdhluli, spokesperson for the police in Mpumalanga, confirmed that he is aware of several incidents and that a case of hijacking is being investigated in relation to the last incident. No-one has been arrested yet.
This failure to take decisive action is unacceptable in the FF Plus’s view. The police already have a good idea of who the perpetrators are; there is video footage and eyewitnesses and SANTACO made its threats openly.
And yet no-one has been apprehended and the MEC promises to take action once he has been furnished with the facts.
It is shocking that lawless elements are allowed to continue their reign of terror on the province’s roads while the authorities are standing idly by and looking on. The FF Plus will keep monitoring the situation to ensure that action is taken to put a stop to the lawlessness.
Werner Weber
www.vfplus.org.za
