Nie Cele
The no-nonsense Gauteng MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure, Jacob Mamabolo has dissolved the executive committees of both the Witwatersrand African Taxi Owners Association (WATA) and Nancefield Dube West Taxi Association (NANDUWE) following recent deadly clashes that have resulted in the murder of at least two people.
Over the past years, the two associations have always been at loggerheads and embroiled in scuffle over the control and ownership of routes between Joburg CBD and Soweto. This has resulted in dozens of fatalities.
The disbandment was triggered by latest infighting that saw two NANDUWE squad members shot dead near Nancefield Hostel, Soweto last week.
In a terse statement issued by the department, the ever indefatigable MEC offered his condolences to families and loved ones of the two men who were killed and called on law-enforcement agencies to spare no effort in capturing those behind the killings.
“I am deeply dismayed by the latest incident which resulted in the spillage of blood. We cannot allow the taxi industry to turn our province into the capital of murder and violent gangs” said Mamabolo.
.
The tough talking MEC also issued a stern warning that his department
will not be deterred in their efforts to modernise this industry.
“We want to see this industry takes its rightful place as part of a safe, efficient and integrated public transport system” said Mamabolo.
DID YOU KNOW?
- The MEC is empowered by law to place taxi associations involved in violence under administration.
- The North Gauteng High Court recently ratified an agreement between Gauteng’s major taxi structures, the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance (GNTA) and the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO-Gauteng), giving the MEC powers to dissolve taxi associations involved in acts of violence.
- PICS SOURCED FROM IOL AND NEWS365.CO.ZA
