Police officers linked to taxi industry could fuel tensions, warns Ian Cameron

Commuters in Cape Town were left stranded on Monday after taxi operators in Nyanga shut down services in protest over ongoing violence.

The disruption followed the torching of nine taxis at the Nyanga rank.

Members of Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) marched to the local police station, demanding answers and stronger action from SAPS.

The latest flare-up has escalated tensions among operators and again puts the spotlight on violence within the industry.

But Ian Cameron, Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police, says he believes some members of SAPS may have their own interests tied up in the industry.

ALSO READ: Taxi operators affiliated with CATA protest ongoing violence within association

"I believe a big reason for some of the conflict is that there are senior SAPS officials, junior too, who own taxis and are directly involved in the taxi industry."

The impact of this conflict of interest has been a long time coming in the Mother City, he says.

"Yesterday I was releasing, almost on the hour, yet another officer who is involved in the taxi industry, and there are more to come."

Cameron believes that SAPS is 'not completely clean' in the process, adding that there is currently a member of the taxi violence unit who himself owns taxis.

"Something that is directly in contravention of their own regulations and obviously legislation too."

He explains how the conflict of interest arises in the case of SAPS officers who are also taxi owners.

" [Concerning investigations], if you have some kind of interest in a specific organisation, let's say CATA, you would obviously want your investigation to not necessarily function in the way that it should in order for you to gain... more business and get more income."

Such an officer, suggests Cameron, could have an unfair influence on any investigation.

"Obviously, it also opens the door for a significant amount of corruption."

To listen to Cameron in conversation with 702/CapeTalk's Africa Melane, use the audio player below: