MEC for Transport issues plea to Ladysmith’s conflicting families
It is believed that the fight is over lucrative taxi routes in Gauteng and has very little to do with Ladysmith taxi operations
A meeting was held yesterday (Sunday) at the Ladysmith Town Hall, which saw MEC for Transport, Community Safety & Liaison Mr Willies Mchunu in attendance, together with two families believed to be involved in a community dispute linked to last weekend’s tragic shooting incidents.
The meeting was attended by the Mabaso and Gamede families, as well as Mayor Madlala and Ward 4 D-section councillor Bongani Mkhize.
Cllr Mkhize represents the ward where the car wash shooting occurred. The meeting was held to help the feuding families resolve their conflict, which is believed to be the main catalyst for not just the accident death toll, but for ongoing fighting over months that has left many dead. At least 19 members of the two families (or people working for them) have been killed in the ongoing violence. A further eight have survived attempted ‘hits’.
Ironically, the hit-men employed by the various parties have also become major players in what is seen as a very lucrative tit-for-tat taxi war. It is believed that the fight is over lucrative taxi routes in Gauteng and has very little to do with Ladysmith taxi operations.
The two families promised the MEC that they would reach an agreement that is hoped will bring a peaceful end to the long-lasting feud between them. The aim of the task team assigned to this particular case is to find a long-term reconciliation plan which will ensure that a horrific incident of this magnitude is not repeated.
Just last week, MEC Mchunu visited Ladysmith in order to have briefings with Mayor Madlala regarding the horrific killings, as well as pay a visit to the two survivors of the taxi crash. MEC Mchunu also attended the mass funeral held at eSakhelwe sports ground in Ezakheni on Saturday and took time out on Sunday to meet the feuding families.
