Pretoria - Transport Minister Dipuo Peters has called for taxi operators to stop the violence, intimidation and vandalism which has characterised protests in Durban.
“Whilst acknowledging the right to protest by taxi operators, violence, degradation of property and the unnecessary maiming of other operators and members of the society is intolerable,” the Department of Transport said.
Taxi operators shut down operations in the inner-city of Durban on Monday. Following a meeting on Tuesday, operators said they would remain on strike until after vehicles which were impounded are returned.
“There are set legal standards and procedures that taxi operators and the citizenry must comply with when engaged in a protest.
“These standards and procedures must be observed without any fail because they have legal consequences,” the department said.
Minister Peters has urged all law enforcement agencies to ensure that they arrest people who commit acts of violence.
She has also appealed to the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) to ensure that it engages its members and the taxi industry as a whole to refrain from any acts of crime.
Government has assured taxi operators in Durban and South Africa that there are national, provincial as well as municipal consultations that are currently taking place with SANTACO with an intention to address the concerns as raised by the sector. – SAnews.gov.za
