KwaZulu-Natal’s Transport MEC Siboniso Duma has commended Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for restoring calm in KwaDabeka township near Pinetown, where recent violence between taxi drivers and e-hailing service operators had escalated.
The praise follows Wednesday’s shooting of two e-hailing drivers in alleged confrontations with taxi operators. In response, police conducted operations resulting in the arrest of 10-15 suspects connected to the attacks.
“We wish to commend Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi, his team, our provincial regulatory entity and metro police for their decisiveness,” said Duma in a Thursday statement. “They have ensured peace and stability in the interests of peace-loving people in KwaZulu-Natal.”
Duma expressed concern about avoiding a repeat of recent violence at Maponya Mall where a 27-year-old e-hailing driver was killed and burned inside his vehicle earlier this month, with two others injured in that incident.
The provincial government is seeking to mediate between traditional taxi operators and e-hailing services. Duma’s spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, explained that “we are faced with the evolution of the public transport industry,” noting that taxi operators feel threatened by the growing e-hailing sector.
Meanwhile, South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) president Motlhabane Tsebe has denied that the taxi industry itself is violent, instead blaming criminal elements that have infiltrated the sector. Santaco has offered to contribute to the funeral costs of the driver killed at Maponya Mall.
The MEC expects to be briefed on the police operation and remains committed to ensuring peaceful coexistence between all public transport providers.
