Taxi violence results in series of protest
On Saturday the associations blocked the R40 temporarily, a situation which was immediately controlled by the police and traffic officers.
MSHOLOZI – Fighting among taxi associations operating in Msholozi informal settlement resulted in protests over two days last week.
It is alleged that the squabble started when drivers of KaBokweni Taxi Association, White Hazy Taxi Association and others operating in the area did not agree on their operating licences and routes around the settlement and from Msholozi to Mbombela.
Passengers had been complaining over a long time over some drivers who dropped them on the road far away from their destinations.
Various taxi drivers clashed on Friday and Mpumalanga News learnt that a couple of assault cases were opened at the White River Police Station.
The fights were also aggravated by members of the community who marched to voice their grievances to the taxi associations on Saturday morning.
They demanded that the taxis should pick them up on the main road closest to their homes and drop them off at their destinations.
“Many passengers seem to be in favour of taxis affiliated to KaBokweni Taxi Association.
These taxis drop them at Edgars each morning where they are provided with alternative taxis to take them directly to their places of work free of charge. White Hazy taxis don’t take passengers to their destinations, which cost passengers a lot as they have to take local taxis from town to their places of work,”
explained a concerned resident, Mr Donald Wozawoza Motha.
He added that the community was not happy with taxis that took them from town and left them far away from their destinations.
“Passengers living in far-off sections like Section C and D are compelled to walk long distances to their homes with their groceries, despite there being a gravel road suitable for taxis,” he said.
He alleged this led to residents becoming targets for criminals who would rob their homes after seeing them carrying their shopping bags.
On Saturday the associations blocked the R40 temporarily, a situation which was immediately controlled by the police and traffic officers.
One of the rank marshals known as Gogo Mathebula said all associations had agreed to peacefully continue with their operations in Msholozi.
