Kwatsaduza – Springs taxi drivers took the law into their own hands to drive out drug addicts from their taxi rank and the town.
Armed with sjamboks, sticks and baseball bats, the angry drivers assaulted some of the remaining addicts.
On Tuesday, the drivers met with some addicts to warn them to leave the town as they roll out their campaign to clean the streets of drugs.
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They alleged that the users damaged the taxi rank’s infrastructure, robbed passengers, and relieved themselves inside the rank.
During the campaign, taxi drivers burnt the addicts’ belongings, including their mattresses and blankets.
They also raided a herbal store that the addicts alleged was selling drugs.
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On Wednesday, the raid turned violent, with some addicts assaulted with sticks and bricks.
A taxi driver, who asked not to be named, said he felt that the angry mob targeted the weak parties, namely the addicts.
“The people we should drive out of this town are the drug dealers and criminals. Without the dealers, the addicts will not have access to drugs,” he explained.
An addict, Aaron Mofotsa, was assaulted by the mob while walking on 8th Street.
Springs Taxi Association PRO, Lyric Tau, said the drivers had approached them with a proposal to fight drugs on the streets of Springs.
“We agreed that they can roll out their campaign on the condition that they do not injure or kill anyone.”
He added that he hopes the addicts return home where their families, community and government can seek help for them.
“These are our children. We are not carrying out this campaign because we hate them but to help them rebuild their lives,” he added.
Springs police spokesperson, Sergeant Themba Tshabalala, said the police do not condone violence and urged the mob not to take the law into their own hands.
“We urge those who were injured to open cases with the police,” he added.
