Police have confirmed a tragic incident in Germiston on the East Rand, where two individuals were shot dead on Thursday. The incident, suspected to be linked to ongoing taxi violence, has sent shockwaves through the community.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, the victims were inside a vehicle when they were fatally shot. Although the motive behind the attack remains unconfirmed, it is strongly believed to be related to tensions within the local taxi association.
“This incident comes amidst a dispute over routes between taxi associations and a bus company, which began yesterday morning, resulting in commuters being left stranded,” Lt Col Masondo stated.
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The National Taxi Alliance (NTA) has threatened a national protest should its demands not be met. Commuters across Ekurhuleni found themselves stranded as taxi operations in several areas were suspended.
NTA spokesperson Theo Malele highlighted the root of the discord, emphasizing that a bus company had been awarded a contract to operate on routes traditionally serviced by the taxi industry.
Malele insisted that the industry deserves a 30% stake in this contract, given their historical involvement in developing and nurturing these routes.
“We want to apologise for the inconvenience caused to the passengers and society at large, and we urge authorities to deal with the taxi industry’s resentment as a matter of urgency,” Malele stressed.
Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department spokesperson Kelebogile Thepa acknowledged the disruptions caused by the strike and assured that officers were actively monitoring the situation.
However, she refrained from speculating on the cause behind the strike, stating that investigations were underway.
Meanwhile, SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) national spokesperson Mmatshikhidi Rebecca Phala shed light on the events leading up to the shutdown. She explained that a disagreement between patrollers and the bus company escalated on Wednesday, resulting in arrests and vehicle impoundments.
Santaco Ekurhuleni spokesperson Eddie Mkhonto underscored the significance of the routes in question, referring to them as “our bread and butter.” He recounted how the confrontation between patrollers and bus drivers led to police intervention and subsequent arrests.
As tensions continue to simmer within the taxi industry, authorities are under mounting pressure to address the underlying grievances and prevent further violence from erupting on the streets.