Taxi industry commended for standing up to looting, unrest
"Any destruction and looting at these areas is a direct attack on the industry's livelihood."
Gauteng MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure, Jacob Mamabolo, has commended local taxi associations for taking a stand against this past weeks’ unrest.
Earlier this week, the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) and affiliated taxi associations said they would help protect malls around Pretoria against rioters and looters during the current wave of unrest.
“This vandalism will not only destroy jobs, but will consequently affect the taxi industry business,” said chairman of Santaco in Pretoria, Abner Tsebe.
“It is therefore in our interests to stand against this form of outrageous thuggery.”
The taxi association leadership strongly warned any would-be looters that “they will find the taxi industry waiting for them”.
Mamabolo said most taxi ranks are located in and around commercial sites and shopping malls and any destruction and looting at these areas is a direct attack on the industry’s livelihood.
“It is within this context that we welcome and appreciate the stance taken by the taxi industry to defend their business around malls and commercial sites. We further appreciate that the industry is working with law enforcement agencies and communities to protect these important sites.
“We also commend various structures in our communities that are working with law enforcement and other agencies of the state, to restore law and order across our province.”
He said the recent unrest could revive simmering conflicts between taxi associations over routes at this difficult time.
“It is of utmost importance that the industry protects its interests as this will contribute to peace and stability. The unrest, looting and destruction of commercial sites and malls was likely to lead to conflicts and fights for lucrative routes.
“The current volatile situation has also seen workers and residents struggling to get to their places of employment and elsewhere due to safety concerns and limited access to transport systems.”
Mamabolo also commended the taxi industry for being available to transport commuters in the midst of instability and for maintaining public transport services in line with the province’s vision of Smart Mobility.
“We further commend the leadership of the Gauteng taxi industry for taking a stand as their business and those of others face threat from violent protests. Their stance in protecting lives and property is the most encouraging during this time of untold devastation and despair.”
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