DA takes to the streets over taxi violence

The group held up placards asking motorists to hoot against taxi violence.

There have been a couple of shooting incidents outside the Mall, one in May where a bystander and two taxi association members were wounded; and in July where two people were shot and killed in what was reportedly another taxi violence incident.

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Ward 132 candidate for the upcoming local government elections, councillor Annette Deppe said, “The community is crying out for taxi violence to stop. The feud between taxi associations could make some people think twice about enjoying shopping at the mall because of safety issues brought on by taxi violence.”

Deppe urged the government to intervene before more lives were lost. “It is all good and well for Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi to call on religous leaders from the South African Council of Churches in an effort to broker an agreement between the Alexandra Taxi Association and Alexandra, Randburg, Midrand and Sandton Taxi Association, but the situation now requires action, not just prayers.”

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Sihle Nyathi, who lives in Midrand, said she was excited about the mall but was also worried about the taxi violence. “I hope this taxi drama will not take anything from the fact that we have a beautiful new shopping mall.”

Mall of Africa could not comment on the protest but in a statement following the last shooting on 3 July Vanessa Fourie, brand manager for Mall of Africa stated that the Mall’s top priority is the safety and security of customers and employees and they will take whatever measures are deemed necessary to ensure this. “We are working closely with the police and they, too, have increased their manpower, not only within the mall but more importantly in those areas that have been identified as hotspots within the area and surrounds.”

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