
=====================================================================
Eastern Cape Government strongly condems recent incident of taxi violence
=====================================================================

Speeches and Media Releases
 Premier's Office

[         w

MEDIA RELEASE
 FOR IMMEDIATE USE
 3 OCTOBER 2000

EC GOVERNMENT STRONGLY CONDEMS RECENT INCIDENT OF TAXI VIOLENCE

The government of the Eastern Cape has noted sporadic outbursts of taxi violence in places such as Umtata recently with great concern.Five 
taxi passengers were shot and killed by gunmen and six other seriously injured according to reports.This brutal act of violence occurred 
between Idutywa and Umtata.The taxi driver apparently lost control during the shooting and the vehicle overturned.He was transporting 10 
redeployed teachers to their new posts in Libode and surrounding areas.

The Eastern Cape government strongly condemns these wanton acts of violence and wishes to assure the victims and affected families that the 
government will take effective measures to combat and finally eliminate this scourge in the taxi industry.

The government is committed to see that the taxi industry is democratised and its operators empowered to join the mainstream of the 
countrys economy.The taxi industry gives testimony to the fact that divisions and vested interests often resulted in violence, loss of 
innocent lives and untold miseries.The democratisation of the taxi industry is to provide better service, to gain respect for law and 
order, create better working conditions for all and instill a sense of pride in this multi-billion-rand industry.It is also to inculcate a 
culture of democracy and accountability within the minibus taxi industry.

There is relatively good progress in this regard despite some sectors, which still hesitate to come on board fully.Steps are already being 
taken at the national, provincial and even primary association levels to encourage even disgruntled elements to fully get on board the 
democratisation and transformation programmes, and also to see a bigger picture of the countrys vision on this matter.Violence in the taxi 
industry should stop once and for all.

To mention just a few of those tangible steps being taken, a commitment has been made to invest over R3 billion for taxi recapitalisation, 
a process of democratisation has begun and should be finalised soon with taxi operators as legitimate partners, the Passenger 
Transportation (interim provisions) Act has been passed in August 2000 to set a legal framework for these processes and discussions are 
advancing with the taxi fraternity to drive these processes.

These will ultimately ensure that violence in this industry becomes part of our history. The government also appeals to the communities to 
ensure the success of the process by amongst others exposing perpetrators of these heinous acts for the law to take its course.

Issued:Communications Division  Office of the Premier
 Inquiries:Acting Director of Communications - Manelisi Wolela 040-6392070/082-4147768

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Home | About the Eastern Cape | Documents
 Economy | Structures | International Relations | Site Map
 Premier's Office | Speeches & Media Releases | Links
 Top of Page

---------------------------------------------------------------------

About the Eastern Cape

Premier's Office

Structures

Documents

Speeches & Media Releases

International Relations

Economy

Links


