Gauteng Community Safety Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Bandile Masuku, has strongly condemned the taxi industry, accusing it of acting as though it is above the law.
Masuku's remarks follow the tragic fatal shooting of three members of a local taxi association, in Mofolo, Soweto, on Wednesday.
For several years, Gauteng and other parts of the country have been grappling with the issue of taxi violence, which has raised serious concerns about passenger safety.
Recent reports indicate that the ongoing violence has resulted in around 30 deaths since last month alone.
The violence is reportedly driven by long-standing disputes over routes between rival taxi associations in the province, an issue that has persisted for decades.
Speaking to Newsroom Afrika on Wednesday, Masuku sharply criticised the taxi industry, noting that it is one of the few sectors in the country predominantly owned by black individuals and plays a significant role in the national economy.
“It is a formal and lucrative industry, essentially a black African-owned industry. This is one of the concerns we have as a committee, as we’ve seen how, in the past, we have been able to resolve conflicts within the sector,” Masuku said.
However, he expressed frustration with the industry's actions, accusing it of operating with impunity and disregarding regulations.
“We believe these issues should be addressed by the MEC of Transport through mutual regulation, but our biggest concern is the industry’s behaviour. They act as if they are above the law," Masuku added.
“They disregard any of our regulations and the laws of the country. This is something we have raised with the provincial commissioner, and we hope to receive a report in the next week or two on how to address and curb this ongoing situation.”
In a statement issued last week, the Secretary of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) in Gauteng, Graham Fritz, called for greater collaboration between law enforcement, the community, and the taxi industry to combat the rising violence.
“The recent surge in violence against our members has reached an intolerable level. It is with deep concern that we urge law enforcement to increase patrols, conduct thorough investigations, and implement stronger measures to ensure the safety of all taxi operators and their passengers,” Fritz said.
“We implore all concerned citizens, members of the taxi industry, and law enforcement to unite in the fight against crime and violence,” he concluded.
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