Santaco president: Ivory Park Taxi Association violence has no place in Ivory Park
"Mkonza and I, always spoke business, we were brothers. And people would always think that we are fighting. I am here for my friend, I am putting the Presidency title aside," Santaco president, Mothlabane Abnar Tsebe.
The South African National Taxi Council president Mothlabane Abnar Tsebe said the late Buti Johannes Mkonza had worked hard to end taxi violence in the province.
He warned that those thinking of inciting taxi violence, especially on the Ivory Park Taxi Association (IPTA) routes, would be dealt with accordingly. Mkonza was the chairperson of IPTA.
Tsebe was speaking at Mkonza’s memorial service at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on November 7.
Read more: Three suspected East London taxi violence murderers nabbed, two at Mall of Africa
Mkonza, (55) died on November 3 in hospital following a short illness. He was laid to rest in his hometown in Riamarpark, Bronkhortspruit.
Tsebe added, “Last week when he went to the hospital, I called him and wished him a speedy recovery. We will keep on assisting IPTA to keep the momentum and ensure that no one takes advantage that Mkonza is no more, and then Ivory Park becomes a war zone. He went a long way to create peace, especially in Gauteng, not just in Ivory Park.”
Also read: Ivory Park Taxi Association chairperson Buti Johannes Mkonza dies after a short illness
Asked if this peace would be upheld, Tsebe said, “We are preaching that gospel [peace]. You will remember that when [Jothan] Msibi passed on, people thought Gauteng would be on fire… As the national office, we can’t be quiet but will continue with that spirit of peace on behalf of Mkonza.”
Tsebe said the deputy chairperson of IPTA Vusi Macheke would automatically become the chairperson.
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