Long distance taxi drivers off the hook after ‘huge police operation’
"It is important to mention that a meeting was held with the MEC Kaunda and the results were not forthcoming hence the Associations rolled out the activities management of the business without the MEC's promised intervention," added Mr Mthembu.
The Dundee Taxi Association is hailing as a victory the Court’s refusal to prosecute the 95 long distance taxi owners who were arrested and charged in the Blood River/Kingsley area following a huge special police operation earlier this month.
The taxi drivers appeared in the Utrecht Magistrate’s Court but are now free to go.
M Mthembu, Dundee Taxi Association chairman, said the incident was like a ‘movie with a special police unit forcing the 141 drivers to lie down on the road while they were searched’.
Asked why there were so many taxi drivers gathered in one area, Mr Mthembu said members were busy completing route business inspections to ensure that all taxis are operating in accordance to their code of conduct.
“We do this ourselves rather than allow a third party to get involved. Drivers and Associations who are in disregard of a Code Of Conduct that is observed by both short and long distance taxi operators are asked to pay a penalty for being in violation or in breach of the Taxi Business owners,” said Mr Mthembu.
“We uphold the Courts decision to recognise the rights to perform logistics activities management within the regulatory framework. The court’s refusal to prosecute was a victory for the Association.
He alleged that the Unit Commander did not take down the names of people who were found in possession of licensed or unlicensed guns.
“They failed to take a list of all vehicles that were impounded and also failed to take a list of taxi owners that were arrested.
“The SAPS wrote that the taxi owners were known people charged for an illegal gathering.
“We want to clear that misperception.
“We uphold the Courts decision to recognise the rights to perform logistics activities management within the regulatory framework. The court’s refusal to prosecute was a victory for the Association.
“The SAPS Commander at Kingsley stated that as SAPS they do not have a code for such cases and appealed to RTI members from Dundee, Nquthu and Vryheid to come and observe these matters or concerns raised at that meeting. The request was also conveyed to the Newcastle POP unit.
“It is important to mention that a meeting was held with the MEC Kaunda and the results were not forthcoming hence the Associations rolled out the activities management of the business without the MEC’s promised intervention,” added Mr Mthembu.
