Taxis face off against protesters
Limpopo police spokesman, Col Moatshe Ngoepe said the Monday protest was illegal. He advised the protesters to follow correct procedures when applying for strikes. Cosatu and its alliance partners will be demonstrating against FTLM on November 2.
BURGERSFORT – Protesters failed in their first attempt to oust the mayor, Johannes Phokane, and the municipal manager (MM), NP Busane, of Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM). The town’s taxi associations stepped in to prevent protesters from shutting down the town.
Protesters planned to chase away workers at Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM), close down the doors and gates of the municipality and hand over the keys to the Burgersfort SAPS.
But the taxi association, together with a strong police presence, foiled their plans to get into the CBD to the Civic Centre, as well as to disrupt the town and businesses who did not close their doors on demand.
Some businesses in town, however, closed their doors in fear of the “riots” that would erupt. On Monday the protesters gathered at Tswelopele.
The protesters demanded the mayor and the management of FTLM to resign and pay back the R240 million that was invested with VBS Bank. They claimed the money was earmarked for acceleration of services in FTLM.
Police acted swiftly, dispensing tear gas to prevent the planned march. A police Nyala was also used to block the road and preventing buses from entering the town.
The taxi associations assembled next to Tubatse Bridge, preventing the protesters from getting into the CBD.
They said they are fed up with the protests happening in town.
Members from six associations operating in Tubatse Fetakgomo said strikes in town are hampering their development and the local economy. Druta, Eastern Leolo, Inter City, Ohrigstad taxis, Steelpoort taxis and the Long Distance Associations prevented the arranged “total shutdown” protest on Monday.
Representing the taxi associations, Katlego Lerutla said they understand the protesters’ grievances, but shutting down the town and closing businesses is the wrong path.
“As taxi officials we are unhappy when these guys close down the town. There are kids that were stranded as they had no transport to schools. The town has to operate like normal. We have taxi owners who are still paying off their minibuses. This shutdown means no business for us. It also affects the local economy badly.”
About half the town’s shops closed, as owners feared that protesters were going to loot their premises.
Limpopo police spokesman, Col Moatshe Ngoepe said the Monday protest was illegal. He advised the protesters to follow correct procedures when applying for strikes. Cosatu and its alliance partners will be demonstrating against FTLM on November 2.
According to the union’s provincial secretary, Mkhomazi Twala, they will demand accountability and the resignations of the politicians and senior officials who took illegal and unlawful decisions to invest public money into VBS.
