Taxi associations clash over road route

Both local and long distance taxi associations are quarreling over who exactly has rights to a new route.
This is brought on with the new development of land on the outskirts of Pineridge.

On Friday, July 14 taxi drivers took the keys to two vehicles blocking the railroad crossing to Klarinet with a bus and a lorry.

Witbank Police intervened and freed up the congestion of the road and crossing.

Again on Monday July 17, armed men hijacked a truck transporting coal and dumped its load into the road and railway tracks at the same location, they then blocked the road with two trucks and fled the area.

In another incident on July 14, Mr Mayor Makofane, a taxi driver driving from Klarinet, was pulled over by an angry mob at the intersection of Walter Sisulu and Elizabeth streets.

Protestors blocked the road at the railway crossing in a dispute over taxi routes.

The mob demanded that all the passengers get out of his Toyota Quantum.
One of the mob members, known as Absalom, was wielding an axe. He allegedly threatened Makofane telling him that he is not allowed to transport people along the route he was on.

The mob dispersed leaving Makofane unharmed.

In the incidents whereby the roads were blocked, police cases have not been opened.
Sgt David Ratau, Witbank Police communications liaison, encourages people to come forward and open cases regarding these incidents, as they can be seen as truck hijacking or cases of theft.

“The two taxi associations, long distance and local, are in disagreement about the route to Pineridge and the new development. Leaders from the associations have met with Brig Sipho Mokwatlo, the Witbank Station Commander, on Monday to enter discussions regarding the route and the fighting between the two associations,” he said.

He added that the police encourage the community not to take the coal which is thrown onto the roads in these disruptions as the act is regarded as theft and can result in your arrest.

“We also encourage taxi drivers to refrain from blocking the toads as it not only disrupts the flow of traffic but also prevents emergency services from travelling along these routes,” said Sgt Ratau.

ALSO READ:

https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/96241/coal-stops-traffic/

https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/94104/residents-protest-no-water-weeks/