Transport MEC steps in amid R34 protests
Last week, protest action escalated to the point where part of the R34 near Denny Dalton, between Melmoth and Vryheid, was closed to traffic amid reports of protesters burning tyres, throwing stones and 'ripping at the doors of passing vehicles'.
MEC of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mxolisi Kaunda has intervened in the R34 protest situation.
The MEC was at the Mpungamhlophe Goje Sports Grounds on Sunday (21 July), to address the approximately 500 community members, who have been engaged in violent protests in the area over the past week. They are apparently disgruntled regarding poor service delivery.
Last week, protest action escalated to the point where part of the R34 near Denny Dalton, between Melmoth and Vryheid, was closed to traffic amid reports of protesters burning tyres, throwing stones and ‘ripping at the doors of passing vehicles’. This resulted in the Ulundi Public Order Policing Unit being dispatched to the scene.
It was reported that once the meeting with MEC Kaunda was concluded, the community dispersed without any incident, and no violent outbursts have been reported to the police since.
The MEC’s office released an official statement on the matter on Tuesday.
In this statement, he lauded the MNR and Ngonyameni Taxi Associations for ‘smoking a peace pipe’ – meant as resolving the dispute between the two associations over routes. This dispute left two taxi drivers dead last week.
According to MEC Kaunda, once his department learned of this, an urgent meeting was convened to address both taxi associations and the regional branch of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO).
“We are pleased that through this intervention, taxi operations are back to normal. However, it is regrettable that we have lost two lives for an issue that the two association could have resolved amicably,” said MEC Kaunda.
The statement said the source of the conflict was believed to be an illegal agreement between the MNR and Ngonyameni Taxi Associations, which both also failed to honour. However, they have since agreed to revert to their regulated operations.
SAPS is leaving nothing to chance, added MEC Kaunda, and would continue to maintain a strong presence in the area until it was certain no further violence would break out.
“We always urge operators to resolve their dispute through constructive engagements,” concluded MEC Kaunda.
Also read: Violent protests erupt on the R34
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