eMBANHLE – Vukanini Taxi Association (Vukta) has lambasted the police and accused them of brutality.
The fierce criticism came after police stopped a violent protest of Vukta against Megabus in an uncompromising fashion on Wednesday, 12 February.
The clash between police and taxi drivers was gaining momentum as from Tuesday 11 February when taxi drivers allegedly impounded two buses belonging to Megabus.
Police intervened and escorted the buses to a place of safety.
Watch the video here:
This seemed to have agitated the taxi drivers and they allegedly attacked the police.
The police’s Tactical Response Team was activated and shots were allegedly fired in the clash.
Taxi drivers began to close most of the intersections with burning tyres and rocks.
At some point, the R546 between eMbalenhle and Standerton was a no-go zone for motorists.
Trucks were parked across the road to Sasol ‘s Charlie 3 entrance as well as in other parts of the township on Wednesday.
Two trucks were allegedly set alight in the process.
Roads in the area were also strewn with rocks and debris making them inaccessible.
The protesters had covered their numbers plates and were wearing balaclavas.
Two buses belonging to Megabus were smashed near Gert Sibande College’s Evander campus.
Watch the video here:
https://www.facebook.com/echoridgenewspapers/videos/901393896956324/
Thousands of commuters, mostly workers, students and learners, were left without transport on the day.
The Public Order Police were activated and upon their arrival in the township, the community celebrated. But things did not end well.
Guns were fired and a police officer was shot in the arm. He was taken to the hospital.
Police then ransacked the taxi rank and three taxi drivers were shot dead of whom two died on the scene and the third died at the hospital.
An unconfirmed number of taxi drivers have been wounded and are still in the hospital.
Mr Fanyana Sibanyoni, chairman for Vukanini Taxi Association, said the situation in eMbalenhle got out of hand after police contravened a resolution that was taken in a mediation meeting that was held on Monday, 10 February.
https://www.facebook.com/echoridgenewspapers/videos/119836112784580/
He said it was decided that buses will transport only learners until the matter is resolved.
However, they were shocked when they saw the police escorting buses that were transporting workers from Sasol.
He said Vukta retaliated because this was against the resolution.
Mr Sibanyoni said Vukta did not intend to be violent.
“We are still shocked by the police’s brutality. Our taxis were smashed and damaged by police.
“Our offices were vandalised. This took us back to the apartheid times. Those who are supposed to protect us are killing us for no reason.
“We will take the matter further.”
Lt-Gen Mondli Zuma, provincial commissioner, condemned the violent protest and hit back at Vukta.
He said South Africa is a country that is governed by laws and people cannot do as they wish.
“Police were conducting their operation as they are duty-bound to maintain peace, they were shot at and defended themselves.
“The member that was shot, was driving a marked police car. The car was firstly stoned by the protesters before he was shot.
“Our country is not a country where people unashamedly parade their lawlessness and inhuman behaviour.
“We cannot allow this situation of anarchy to continue unabated. People are allowed to protest within the ambit of the law.
“No one is allowed to break the law, despite unresolved matters that one faces. People must try to make use of proper channels to resolve their issues rather than perpetuate violence to get what they want.”
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) will determine how the taxi drivers died.
Police arrested 29 suspects in connection with cases of attempted murder of a policeman, public violence and malicious damage to state property.
Read more here on the events that happened between 11 and 12 February: (As it happened)
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/155020/watch-emba-currently-war-zone/
