Taxi route dispute reaches boiling point
The High Court in Middelburg has struck the urgent application off the court roll, in regards to the Nasaret District Taxi Association's (NDTA) complaint against the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport.
The taxi association took the Department of Public Works to court after the department temporarily suspended the association’s operating license. Doctor Silinda of the NDTA said the association’s legal representation has applied for a court order against the department.
The ongoing taxi feud over the Extension 24 and Rockdale route has left commuters stranded and frustrated.
Last Tuesday, the MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport, Ms Mohita Latchminarain, appointed Thembalethu Bus Services to transport residents. SAPS members have been seen escorting the buses.
The appointment of the bus services has also left a bitter taste in the mouths of taxi owners, who feel that the MEC’s decision is meant to destroy the association,
“What the department has done is unfair, a lot of people are currently unemployed due to the permit suspension. We are in the dark, we don’t know when we will get our permits back,” said Mr Silinda.
In an effort to address the taxi violence, the Executive Mayor of the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Diphala Motsepe, invited Rockdale, Extension 24, Nasaret, Sam Rose, and Hlalamnandi residents to a community meeting on Tuesday.
The angry community refused to be addressed by the mayor and eventually chased him away.
