‘The weaker law enforcement agencies and collusion between officials and taxi associations [over routes] contribute to taxi violence,’ the MEC said.This is the view of the Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Jacob Mamabolo. He was speaking at a commission of inquiry looking into taxi violence on Thursday. The commission is chaired by Justice Jeremiah Shongwe and commissioners Nhlula Msimang and Lungile Mabece in Parktown, Johannesburg.
He mentioned the recent killings of five people in Olievenhoutbosch and its surrounding area, which allegedly were over routes. “…. despite interventions by the department, violence in the taxi industry continues unabated. Some associations complained that the weaker law enforcement agencies and collusion between officials and taxi associations contribute to taxi violence,” said Mamabolo.Mamabolo said another issue which was raised by some taxi associations during the recent Gauteng Taxi Summit was the issuing of taxi-operating permits.
“I am confident that the taxi industry will change for the better if resolutions of the taxi summit are implemented. We have resolved in our summit, to empower taxi associations in the province to understand the transport economy.