…By Roland Peterson for TDPel Media.
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga strongly condemns the acts of violence carried out by taxi drivers against e-hailing drivers, such as Uber and Bolt.
Incidents of cars being burnt and attacked at Maponya Mall in Soweto were widely shared on social media last week.
E-hailing drivers were also reported to have been injured during these incidents.
Denouncement of Criminality in Public Transport Industry:
Minister Chikunga asserts that such criminal acts have no place in the public transport industry and will not be tolerated.
She calls upon law enforcement authorities to spare no effort in bringing these criminals to justice.
Conducting business through violence is deemed unacceptable in society.
Collaboration with Taxi Industry and Law Enforcement:
The Minister urges the leadership of the taxi industry to join forces with the government and law enforcement authorities to eradicate this wave of criminality from the industry.
Cooperation is essential to combat the scourge of violence and ensure a safer environment for all involved.
History of Clashes between E-hailers and Taxi Drivers:
This clash between e-hailing operators and taxi drivers is not an isolated incident.
In 2017, Uber drivers had their vehicles petrol bombed and were physically assaulted by disgruntled metered taxi drivers around Gautrain stations in Gauteng.
However, during the National Taxi Lekgotla in 2020, the taxi industry expressed its rejection of violence and distanced itself from those engaging in such acts to eliminate competition.
Regulating the E-hailing Industry:
Minister Chikunga announces that the Department plans to implement regulations to govern the e-hailing industry and create a level playing field with metered taxis.
These measures aim to ensure fair competition and address any disparities between the two sectors.
Commitment to Upholding the Rule of Law:
The Minister emphasizes the readiness of the government to strengthen the regulatory framework in alignment with the resolutions of the National Taxi Lekgotla.
Those who persist in perpetuating violence and undermining the rule of law will face strict legal consequences.
Conclusion:
The Transport Minister firmly denounces the violence perpetrated by taxi drivers against e-hailing drivers and emphasizes the need for collaboration between the taxi industry, law enforcement authorities, and the government to eliminate such criminal behavior.
Plans to regulate the e-hailing industry and maintain a fair and safe environment for all transport operators are underway, with a commitment to upholding the rule of law.