DURBAN - POLICE Minister Bheki has called for the immediate end to bloodshed in the taxi industry in KwaZulu-Natal.
This after he held a meeting with community members and taxi operators in KwaNongoma on Friday.
The area is one of the most hard hit by taxi violence in the province.
The police ministry said 12 people had been killed in KwaNongoma since 2012. These murders are all connected to the taxi (industry) disputes.
During the imbizo, residents called for police to intensify their efforts to protect them from violence emanating from the ongoing taxi turf war.
During the meeting, some taxi operators also opened up about attacks and violence allegedly suffered at the hands of rival taxi associations.
Cele said the bloodshed must be stopped with immediate effect.
He said the provincial transport department must work harder in ensuring that only taxi operators with valid route permits operated in the area.
Cele said those without permits must be removed from the system and not be given any room to intimidate and cause harm at taxi ranks or on the roads.
“As the police, we will continue to stamp the authority of the state and bring about public order, for the sake of community members, especially the women, children and the elderly that are reliant on taxis to get to their destinations.”
Cele said the two main taxi associations in the area were willing to meet the SAPS and transport officials in a bid to end the violence.
The police ministry said it believed meetings between the government and the taxi industry could go a long way towards ending bloodshed and bringing about stability in KwaNongoma and surrounding areas.
The police said the KZN Department of Transport and SAPS had put together a plan which aimed to ensure the safety of taxi operators and commuters.
THE MERCURY