Tensions were high when Border Alliance Taxi Association and Port St. Johns Development forum members went to the police station demanding the release of eleven suspects arrested for the taxi violence on Tuesday.
This is after the suspects did not appear in court 48 hours after their arrest. Meanwhile, two separate meetings were held between the warring taxi associations, police and government officials.
On Thursday afternoon, Border Alliance and Port St. Johns Development forum members were demanding the release of the suspects at the local magistrate’s court before heading to the police station.
The lawyers of some of the suspects were also allegedly denied consultation with their clients. Port St. Johns Development forum says the taxi violence is crippling businesses.
“As business owners of the Port St. Johns Business forum, we are concerned of are people coming to our…to create havoc, within 48 hours, they do not appear in court. The law says someone must appear before court within 48 hours or they must be released. Our economy is at a standstill because of the attacks,” says Mbongeni Kotanao of the forum.
Attempts to get a comment from the police were unsuccessful.
