MBOMBELA – A bitter war over passengers and rights to operate the long distance routes, have ensued between the G8 and the Top Star Taxi Association.
Just a few months ago, these two associations were on each other’s throats over the same issue and had to be brought to the negotiation table by the Transport MEC.
This time around the G8 Taxi Association which is made up of more than five Taxi Associations are accussing the Top Star Taxi Association of intimidating, harassing, and even assaulting them.
Earlier in the week, these associations fought over operational routes and as a result, several taxis were damaged and some drivers assaulted.
It is alleged that the chaos followed an incident that happened over the weekend where a taxi driver from Top Star Association was allegedly injured near Kabokweni.
Top Star Association claimed that their driver was assaulted by a driver from the other association after he allegedly found him ferrying passengers on their routes.
On the other side members of the Kabokweni Taxi Association claimed that their member was attacked by members of the other association and in defence he drove off only to discover that the other driver was clinging on the door and that was when he fell off and got injured.
Attempts to get official comments from the leaders of the two associations proved fruitless as they were all locked in a meeting with representatives from Mbombela Local Municipality.
Taxis belonging to the G8 Association have temporarily moved from the main Mbombela Taxi Rank. They are currently operating near the main street to town.
Drivers told this newspaper that they were not sure as to when they will return to the main taxi rank.
