By Thys Khiba – On Monday, Police Minister Bheki Cele and Transport and Community Safety MEC Sipho Hlomuka are expected to engage Kwazulu Natal taxi operators about ongoing acts of violence and intimidation between rival taxi associations.
The meeting is expected to find lasting solutions to ongoing acts of violence and intimidation between taxi operators in the province.
On Monday, 03 April, Cele had a meeting with owners of the main taxi associations responsible for taxi operations in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng respectively.
“The meeting resolved that a Peace Agreement agreeing on amongst other things, a ceasefire be drafted and signed between the involved taxi associations,” said police spokesperson Lirandzu Themba.
This comes after Police in the province indicated that the motive behind the killing of five people in two separate shootings in Durban might be linked to taxi violence and drug trafficking.
Last month, a family of three, including their 9-year-old daughter were shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Springfield Park.
Hitmen opened fire on their vehicle on Peters Road, with the three occupants sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.
“A 42-year-old man, his 34-year-old wife, and their 9-year-old daughter were fatally wounded in an apparent drive-by shooting.
“The daughter was rushed to hospital but she succumbed to gunshot injuries,” said KZN Police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda.
In another shooting that took place just an hour apart, two minibus taxi operators were murdered near the Berea Shopping Centre.
While the men from the Durban Long-Distance Taxi Association were sleeping inside a taxi when two unknown gunmen armed with a rifle and a handgun approached them and fired shots in broad daylight.
“The motive of the shootings is being confirmed but taxi-related violence cannot be ruled out,” said Netshiunda.
In less than a month, KZN has reported scores of taxi operatorsbeen gunned down.
Police indicated that they are investigating the murders, which are believed to be as a result of ongoing taxi feuds.
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