Gauteng National Taxi Alliance distances itself from Maponya Mall attacks
The Taxi Alliance’s provincial spokesperson, Theo Malele, said the law must take its course, as they do not know who is behind the attack.
The Gauteng Roads and Transport Department is confident it will resolve tension following the tragic killing of an e-hailing driver outside Maponya Mall in Soweto. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng branch of the National Taxi Alliance has distanced itself from acts of violence allegedly caused by taxi operators in the province.
This comes after the Soweto community has blamed taxi operators for an attack outside Maponya Mall last week, where one e-hailing driver died when his and another vehicle were torched.
The Taxi Alliance’s provincial spokesperson, Theo Malele, said the law must take its course, as they do not know who is behind the attack.
In a media briefing on Monday, stakeholders of the public transport sector gave an update of their plans to curb violence in the industry.
Gauteng Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela said they have joined forces with law enforcement in the province to ensure the safety of people.
The latest attack sparked widespread outrage among residents who raised concerns over not being able to freely use public transport modes of their choice.
Gauteng National Taxi Alliance spokesperson Theo Malele said, "We can never be a law unto ourselves. We are law-abiding citizens. We are out there to do a fair and just business practice, and therefore we wouldn't want any other person to come in and disturb in the name of the taxi industry.”
Malele added that regulations need to be signed into law to ensure the safety of e-hailing operators and commuters.