Police minister, Bheki Cele, is expected to meet two warring taxi associations in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday night. He will also meet other stakeholders to find solutions to the on-going taxi violence that has claimed the lives of many people.
Cele has shut down taxi ranks in Mthatha, Libode and Tsolo, resulting in people being stranded and unable to get to work on time. The minister says he is determined to find a lasting solution and end violence between Boarder and Uncedo Taxi Associations.
The root cause of the taxi violence is the route between Mthatha and Libode on the R61 and the route on the N2 between Mthatha and Tsolo. Between 2016 and 2018, more than 60 people have been killed. This includes owners, drivers and passengers.
The provincial transport department initiated a number of meetings, in which agreements were reached by the warring associations. Despite these, some taxis were still ambushed while transporting commuters.
The latest decision, to close down ranks. left many stranded as no alternative transport was provided by the transport department.
