When were citizens accorded right to police?

In your article regarding taxi owners stopping company bakkies transporting their workers (Taxis threaten company transport, Courier, October 30), I quote:
“Mdu Tony, Dolphin Coast Taxi Association chairman said they had the right to stop people transporting staff because they did not have public transport licenses and were supposed to use taxis.”
I am amazed that these words could come out of the mouth of the taxi association chair. Not surprised that he thinks this way because they clearly believe they are a law unto themselves, but shocked that he could be so brash as to admit this.
Perhaps I missed the meeting where citizens were given the right to self police?
If I suspect my competition to be paying less taxes than they should be, and this would give them an unfair advantage over my business, does this mean I have the right to raid their offices and demand to see their books?
The SAPS should complain to the taxi associations that they are stealing their policing job by stopping bakkies, which unless I’m missing something remains the sole right of the police!
JEFF PEXA
Ballito