We shall be tough on emergent of new Wave Of taxi violence

MEC Khabisi Mosunkutu has vowed to immediately and decisively deal with the emergence of a new wave of taxi violence in Gauteng.

A taxi operator in Soweto, Mr Molao, survived a hail of bullets fired at his car last Friday, 13 November 2009. Bent on communicating a message of terror and death, shots were again fired this time into his house yesterday, 16 November 2009. Mr Molao, a member of the Soweto Taxi Services (STS ), suffered injuries from glass shrapnel from the first attack.

Anticipating counter attacks and possible spiraling of violence, MEC Mosunkutu re-iterated a call he made earlier to ‘the leadership of the taxi industry, not just individuals, to condemn any criminality in the sector and commit themselves to co-operate with law enforcement agencies in the identification, isolation and arrest of perpetrators of acts of violence. Together with leaders in the industry we have a duty to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the commuting public. Legitimate operators also have a right to ply their trade without intimidation'. MEC Mosunkutu has issued instruction to official to ensure that operations on illegitimate routes, monopolization of routes and operating without the required permits is dealt with without any delay. 

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Issued by the Gauteng Department of Community Safety. Media contact person: Sizwe Matshikiza at (011) 689 3633 or 071 851 2369.