UPDATE: Calm, smooth traffic in Pretoria CBD
“The taxi industry leaders, however, indicated there may be sporadic and isolated incidents of criminal activity and looting in the name of the industry by people that are not even known to the operators.”
It was business as usual in the Pretoria CBD by mid-morning on Tuesday, with a few stores open and taxis operating following days of unrest.
Gauteng public transport and roads infrastructure MEC Jacob Mamabolo assured Tshwane residents that public transport services would not be interrupted on Tuesday.
He held an early morning meeting with the police led by Brigadier Abbey Nkhwashu and the taxi industry led by provincial chairperson of GNTA Piet Mahlangu and Mohlabane Tsebe regional chairperson of SANTACO.
The meeting was held following threats of a minibus taxi strike announced last night and apparently planned for the early hours of Tuesday.
ALSO READ: NEWSFLASH: Pretoria protests to continue on Tuesday
But Central police spokesperson Captain Augustinah Selepe said taxi associations dismissed the alleged threats of a strike.
She said the associations confirmed that taxi operations would run smoothly as normal.
“The taxi industry leaders, however, indicated there may be sporadic and isolated incidents of criminal activity and looting in the name of the industry by people that are not even known to the operators. “
The taxi associations distanced themselves from acts of criminality and condemned the violence that took place.
Mamabolo said the city would be monitored to maintain order and stability and that any opportunistic and isolated acts of criminal “will be dealt with harshly by law enforcement agencies”.
On Monday, taxi drivers allegedly warned commuters not to come to the CBD on Tuesday as there would be no taxis commuting to and from the CBD and Tshwane safety and security MMC and acting MMC for roads and transport Karen Meyer warned commuters of the continuing taxi protest action across Tshwane.
Meyer said the city had received information that indicated that taxi operators would begin to assemble at 04:00 and block all routes into the city centre, targeting Marabastad and Sunnyside in particular.
“The city has been informed that individual taxi drivers will continue their protest action across Tshwane,” she said. Commuters are accordingly advised to take the necessary precautions or use alternative routes to avoid road closures, traffic congestion and public transport service disruptions.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Police manage to calm CBD protesters
Residents were also encouraged to monitor local media outlets for developments throughout the day.
Tshwane metro police department spokesperson Isaac Mahamba said there were no reports of any protest action by mid-morning.
He said the TMPD would, however, continue monitoring protest action in the CBD and Sunnyside.
Tshwane mayor Stevens Mokgalapa said that the TMPD and SAPS had combined their efforts against the ongoing drug surge in the city.
“The city has engaged TMPD top management on a comprehensive plan of action, it will continue to do so and return law and order to our communities.”
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
Rekord East
Rekord North
Rekord Centurion
Rekord Moot
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
