No taxi violence reported today
Law enforcers patrolled the roads to ensure there were no more disruptions.
HIGHVELD – Things are back to normal following a tense day yesterday in the local taxi industry.
Violence between the Zamokuhle Taxi Association from Leslie and Vukanini Taxi Association (Vukta) from eMbalenhle erupted yesterday after Zamokuhle Taxi Association began to operate in Secunda and Evander.
Zamokuhle Taxi Association and Govan Mbeki Municipality held a meeting after the association had closed roads in Leandra on Wednesday.
The municipality, represented by Mr Anthony Makhaye, chief whip of the ANC, Mr Sakhile Mahlangu, MMC for Planning and Development, and other officials gave the association permission to operate in Secunda and Evander without informing Vukta.
It is alleged that some members of Vukta saw suspicious cars, including a BMW, escort taxis belonging to Zamokuhle Taxi Association and they mobilised and chased them.
They caught up with the taxi and the BMW in Solly Zwane Street near the police station and damaged both vehicles.
The police were alerted and managed to rescue the driver and passengers of the BMW.
Solly Zwane Street was closed for nearly the whole day when a large number of taxi drivers were standing outside the Evander Police Station, demanding that the police release those rescued.
Vukta management had a meeting with the police and Ms Lindi Masina, executive mayor, and other municipal officials under strong police guard.
A decision to withdraw the permission given to Zamokuhle Taxi Association was taken until a meeting could be arranged with both taxi associations.
This meeting is expected to take place on Monday, 9 May.
The police confirmed that one of the Zamokuhle Taxi Association drivers was rescued after he was chased by two Crafters (22 seater taxis) from where he had abandoned his taxi and seek refuge at a house on the road to Kriel.
His taxi was shot at three times and was taken to the Leandra Police Station.
The driver was given safe accommodation.
