Three taxi drivers arrested

Three taxi drivers were arrested in Pretoria on Wednesday morning ahead of the National Taxi Alliance (NTA) strike.

Police spokesperson Colonel Lungelo Dlamini confirmed that two drivers were detained for allegedly assaulting a Tshwane metro police officer in Cullinan.

But another driver was facing charges of reckless driving after colliding with three vehicles on Sefako Makgatho Drive in Sinoville, Dlamini said.

“He drove against traffic and was involved in an accident with three other vehicles. Four people were injured and he was arrested. The situation is being monitored.”

Scores of taxi drivers had made their way to the department of transport to hand over a memorandum to Minister Joe Maswanganyi of grievances affecting the industry.

NTA spokesperson Theo Malele said the protest could have been prevented had Maswanganyi responded to their requests for a meeting.

“Had he acceded to us sitting with him, this activity would be affected. He still has not tried to talk to us. Clearly, it is a sign of arrogance, and that tells us that the minister thinks he owns people and forgetting [he is] there by virtue of being voted into office.”

He said the industry faced issues that included the “unworkable” taxi recapitalisation programme, and lack of subsidisation of the taxi industry.

“Some of our grievances are about pieces of legislature that is not friendly to the transformation of the taxi industry and the value chain to economically transform the industry,” Malele said.

The marchers would then proceed to the Union Buildings in the afternoon.

rorisangk@citizen.co.za