Taxi terror tactics against hitch-hikers

Stanger resident Alphaus Thusini claims he was assaulted by taxi owners who, it would appear, assumed he was hitch-hiking on the Salt Rock Road last Friday.

Thusini, who works as a driver for a company in Salt Rock said he was walking from work to Umhlali train station when two men attacked him with knobkerries.
“I had just crossed the bridge over the N2 when I passed two people who were hitch-hiking on the Salt Rock Road off-ramp. A few minutes  later they ran past me and when I looked back two men with knobkerries were chasing after them,” said Thusini.
He said he carried on walking as the chase had nothing to do with him but “it was not more than five seconds later when they started attacking me with those knobkerries.”
Thusini said he did not fight back because he was scared it would aggravate them even more. He said after the attack the two men drove off in a white Toyota Hilux.
“I phoned my boss who took me to Umhlali SAPS and then the doctor because my head was swollen all over. I know my attackers are taxi owners because I have seen them before.”
He said he did not condone the attack of hitch-hikers because “asking for rides is not illegal” but whatever the battle is between hitch-hikers and taxi owners nearly cost him his life.
“The police need to put a stop to this ‘free reign’ attitude that the taxi bosses have because they are victimising people. I could have died for no reason,” said Thusini.
Dolphin Coast Taxi Association chairman, Richard David denied any knowledge of the matter and referred the Courier to the association’s secretary, Dan Maharaj who could not be reached.
Umhlali SAPS spokesperson captain Percy Buthelezi confirmed that a case of assault had been opened but no arrests had been made.