POLOKWANE – The Spokesperson for the Seshego Taxi Association, Moshita Lekganyane says the Department of Transport is the only institution that can solve the ongoing rifts between them and the Moletjie Taxi Association.
A sedan and taxi belonging to the two associations were set alight yesterday, as taxi wars flared up again in the city.
The two associations have been at loggerheads since last year over the routes and permits, and Lekganyane stressed that the department is the only institution that can intervene to solve the impasse.
The wrangle left many commuters stranded on Thursday and Friday as they were unable to access the taxis to and from their homes and workplaces. Members of Seshego Polokwane Taxi Association blocked the Seshego Traffic Circle in an attempt to stall taxis from the Moletjie Taxi Association from operating in Seshego and loading commuters.
Lekganyane said they have engaged the department on numerous occasions on the matter but their efforts were futile. “Our stance is that the department must solve this. We can’t, we tried many avenues but we failed. We can’t reach a consensus. They know their routes and we know our routes but there is a constant encroachment on each other’s territories.”
He also added that all their services have been suspended until further notice. “We are not operating at the moment and we are urging all our commuters to make use of Great North Transport buses.”
Spokesperson for the Department, Mike Maringa said they are willing to meet the associations to resolve the matter.
