Violence erupted on the streets of Mthatha yesterday as police clashed with hundreds of stone-throwing taxi operators.
The fight was over plans by the municipality to move taxis from a rank near the fire station.
Scores of people were arrested for malicious damage to property and many more were injured after heavily-armed National Intervention Unit members squared off with taxi touts and drivers.
The usually bustling taxi rank in Durham Street resembled a war zone as rifle-wielding police officers and municipal law enforcement officers evacuated the area just before midday yesterday.
Hundreds of commuters scurried for shelter, with some leaving their groceries behind where they had earlier queued for a ride home.
Hawkers and caravan restaurant owners also abandoned their businesses for fear of their safety.
Red and blue smoke billowed in the air after police fired stun grenades to disperse the crowds. Police also fired rubber bullets, sending people running between taxis and to the Mthatha Dam.
Earlier, a group of taxi touts and drivers blocked several streets around the fire station with burning tyres and rocks.
Mthatha police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Dineo Koena said 17 people aged between 25 and 42 were arrested on charges of malicious damage to property.
She said up to 15 taxis were impounded.
Eastern Cape Taxi Council president Zanemvula Gaya and Mthatha Taxi Owners’ Association chairman Xolani Mahala condemned the violence and distanced their members from it.
Mahala said King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality’s decision to remove them was a U-turn on an agreement reached in 2006 for them to occupy the current site. “We understand the disruption caused to the fire brigades but we wanted the courtesy of being called to the table,” said Mahala.
KSD spokesman Sonwabo Mampoza said parking and the off-loading of passengers at the fire station hindered speedy response to emergencies.
“We are always under attack for responding late due to delays. We have demarcated land near the taxi rank but they insist on using the site. That cannot be allowed because there are serious negative implications to service delivery,” he saidq. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
Taxi violence breaks out in Mthatha CBD
The fight was over plans by the municipality to move taxis from a rank near the fire station.
Scores of people were arrested for malicious damage to property and many more were injured after heavily-armed National Intervention Unit members squared off with taxi touts and drivers.
The usually bustling taxi rank in Durham Street resembled a war zone as rifle-wielding police officers and municipal law enforcement officers evacuated the area just before midday yesterday.
Hundreds of commuters scurried for shelter, with some leaving their groceries behind where they had earlier queued for a ride home.
Hawkers and caravan restaurant owners also abandoned their businesses for fear of their safety.
Red and blue smoke billowed in the air after police fired stun grenades to disperse the crowds. Police also fired rubber bullets, sending people running between taxis and to the Mthatha Dam.
Earlier, a group of taxi touts and drivers blocked several streets around the fire station with burning tyres and rocks.
Mthatha police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Dineo Koena said 17 people aged between 25 and 42 were arrested on charges of malicious damage to property.
She said up to 15 taxis were impounded.
Eastern Cape Taxi Council president Zanemvula Gaya and Mthatha Taxi Owners’ Association chairman Xolani Mahala condemned the violence and distanced their members from it.
Mahala said King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality’s decision to remove them was a U-turn on an agreement reached in 2006 for them to occupy the current site. “We understand the disruption caused to the fire brigades but we wanted the courtesy of being called to the table,” said Mahala.
KSD spokesman Sonwabo Mampoza said parking and the off-loading of passengers at the fire station hindered speedy response to emergencies.
“We are always under attack for responding late due to delays. We have demarcated land near the taxi rank but they insist on using the site. That cannot be allowed because there are serious negative implications to service delivery,” he saidq. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
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