UPDATE 20 August; 12.08 pm
Constable Matome Tlamela, head of communications at the station said following the burning of a taxi on Allandale Road on 19 August, police felt the need to take action.
“The police are just there to assess the situation,” said Tlamela. “They were not turning any taxis or private cars away,” she said, as she addressed reports that police were turning motorists away from the roads.
According to Wayne Minnaar, spokesperson of the Metro police, they impounded 17 taxis. “At around 9am on 19 August, Metro police, together with Gauteng and Midrand police conducted an operation to quell the situation,” said Minnaar.
He added that a case of arson was being investigated by police regarding the burning of the taxi.
20 August; 8 am
Reported shooting and violence led to the impounding of 17 taxis on the R55 on 19 August and on 20 August there were more reports of taxi violence on the R55.
The road between Diepsloot and Crowthorne, was seemingly the stage to continuing taxi violence in the area.
Acccording to Wayne Minnaar, spokesperson of the Metro Police, they impounded the vehicles after one taxi was burned. “At around 9am this morning, Metro police, together with Gauteng and Midrand Police conducted an operation to quell the situation,” said Minnaar.
He also said a case of arson was being investigated by police.
Midrand Police could not be reached for comment on possible arrests made at the time of print.
There were more reports of taxi violence on the morning of 20 August.
Motorists also reported that police were asking cars to turn around on the R55 and stay away from the area.
Also read: Confirmed: 5 taxis, one car shot in recent taxi violence
Discuss what should be done about taxi violence in the comments section below
