Two taxi drivers were injured yesterday when a battle over territory turned violent.Tensions developed when a Duncan Village community was moved to a new RDP housing project in Reeston last week.
It was announced that taxis associated with the East London Taxi Assocation (Elta) would continue to transport them, but the Mdantsane Taxi Forum (MTF) – which is the umbrella body for Melta, Meta and Uncedo associations – objected, as it has been operating in the area since 2002.
MTF member Xolani Ndzendze said they had started operating in the area with a single taxi when people were still living in shacks. Reeston has since grown with the development in the area.
“Last week these residents moved into their new houses from Duncan Village and they brought us a letter written by their previous councillor stating that they would be using the same taxi service to commute in the new area,” said Ndzendze. “On Thursday all taxi associations sat in meetings trying to find solutions as to how this could work and we agreed that, as the forum that has been operating in the area, we would decide on what the verdict would be.”
Melta transport executive Simphiwe Tapile said they received phone calls just after 5am yesterday informing him of drivers attacked by Elta.
“Two of our guys were doing business as usual when they were axed by members of Elta who demanded to take over the area where we have been operating, although we were not here at the time.”
Elta chairman Xolile Ngwendu said he was not aware of the alleged attacks.
Ward councillor Ncumisa Mekane said she was shocked by the letter. “We have discussed it and it is tragic that it has escalated to bloodshed, but has since apologised,” she said.
Police spokeswoman warrant officer Hazel Mqala said: “Two taxi drivers were harmed so a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm has been opened. We are in a meeting urging taxi drivers to come up with solutions so that transport can resume normally tomorrow morning.”
Ngwendu told the Daily Dispatch late yesterday an agreement was reached among the taxi members that everybody would be entitled to queue and transport commuters.
“We were transporting them in Duncan Village and because they were moving to a new place where nobody had been operating, we did not think it would be a problem especially as they had a letter from their councillor.”
It was not possible to reach the councillor, whose name is known to the Dispatch, by deadline. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
Two hurt as taxi tensions boil over
Tensions developed when a Duncan Village community was moved to a new RDP housing project in Reeston last week.
It was announced that taxis associated with the East London Taxi Assocation (Elta) would continue to transport them, but the Mdantsane Taxi Forum (MTF) – which is the umbrella body for Melta, Meta and Uncedo associations – objected, as it has been operating in the area since 2002.
MTF member Xolani Ndzendze said they had started operating in the area with a single taxi when people were still living in shacks. Reeston has since grown with the development in the area.
“Last week these residents moved into their new houses from Duncan Village and they brought us a letter written by their previous councillor stating that they would be using the same taxi service to commute in the new area,” said Ndzendze. “On Thursday all taxi associations sat in meetings trying to find solutions as to how this could work and we agreed that, as the forum that has been operating in the area, we would decide on what the verdict would be.”
Melta transport executive Simphiwe Tapile said they received phone calls just after 5am yesterday informing him of drivers attacked by Elta.
“Two of our guys were doing business as usual when they were axed by members of Elta who demanded to take over the area where we have been operating, although we were not here at the time.”
Elta chairman Xolile Ngwendu said he was not aware of the alleged attacks.
Ward councillor Ncumisa Mekane said she was shocked by the letter. “We have discussed it and it is tragic that it has escalated to bloodshed, but has since apologised,” she said.
Police spokeswoman warrant officer Hazel Mqala said: “Two taxi drivers were harmed so a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm has been opened. We are in a meeting urging taxi drivers to come up with solutions so that transport can resume normally tomorrow morning.”
Ngwendu told the Daily Dispatch late yesterday an agreement was reached among the taxi members that everybody would be entitled to queue and transport commuters.
“We were transporting them in Duncan Village and because they were moving to a new place where nobody had been operating, we did not think it would be a problem especially as they had a letter from their councillor.”
It was not possible to reach the councillor, whose name is known to the Dispatch, by deadline. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
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