KwaZulu-Natal premier Senzo Mchunu signed a landmark working agreement with local taxi associations, last Thursday.
The agreement, which also includes the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority, encourages all parties to work together within the law to curb taxi violence in the Ilembe district.
This follows a meeting convened by Mchunu to deal with ongoing taxi violence involving the Mandeni, KwaMaphumulo, KwaDukuza and Dolphin Coast taxi associations.
Associations and their private security companies have been blamed for perpetuating a war that dates back to 1988.
Since then more than 42 cases of murder, attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms have been and are being investigated by the police.
Mchunu said he does not want to see KZN return to its pre-1994 state of violence and bloodshed.
“There are a few trigger-happy and stubborn elements which are responsible for the instability in the taxi industry and these individuals must be isolated. We must make a difference between ‘chance-takers’ so called ‘izinkabi or hitmen’ and those who are earning a legitimate living.”
Mchunu said community safety and transport MEC Willies Mchunu had been keeping cabinet briefed on the Ilembe taxi violence.
“MEC Mchunu highlighted problems ranging from the killing of taxi operators, lawlessness in the taxi industry, conflict over routes, power struggles over the control of associations and the increase in taxi fares. There is also the issue of permits and the recapitalisation. He is championing a number of interventions in the affected areas especially Ilembe district. However, despite the interventions, the problems persist.”
Mchunu pleaded with all stakeholders to help find solutions to the violence.
“We think it is high time we looked for extraordinary measures to address the problems facing the associations in Ilembe. We need to make sure we stabilise the taxi industry in the best interest of commuters and the people of Ilembe.”
