By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
At least four taxis were burnt in the Johannesburg CBD on Saturday morning after violence erupted between rival associations.
Johannesburg metro police spokesperson Wayne Minaar confirmed that several taxis were torched at the intersection of Von Weillig and Commissioner streets.
“At this moment we can’t confirm the total number of taxis that were burned or any injuries, if there are any,”he said.
Police are on the scene to control the situation.
Attacks are believed to be rivalry between two taxi associations.
Motorists have been advised to use alternative routes.
⚠️ ALERT
Commissioner Str in the JHB CBD is closed off to traffic btw Delvers & Kruis Str. This is following Taxi Violence. The situation is calm, Police & @CityofJoburgEMS are present. Motorists are advised to avoid & to use alternative routes. #JHBTraffic #JoburgRoadSafety pic.twitter.com/JMnZJjaciI
— Jo’burg Metro Police Department – JMPD (@JoburgMPD) October 16, 2021
Meanwhile Gauteng MEC for Public Transport and Roads infrastructure, Jacob Mamabolo, has condemned violence in the Joburg CBD after four taxis were set on fire.
He said acts of criminality should be dealt with decisively and perpetrators must be brought to book.
He made the call after four taxis were set alight and several others were damaged in what is believed to be taxi violence between two taxi associations in Johannesburg
Mamabolo said he was going to meet provincial leaders of the associations on Sunday to bring peace and stability in the sector.
He said there are allegations that there was a fight on Saturday between the two associations and this was a continuation and it is still being investigated to find the root course.
It is alleged that six other minibus taxis were damaged following skirmishes between drivers from the Witwatersrand African Taxi Association (WATA) and the Nancefield Dube West Association (Nanduwe).
No injuries have been reported and a case of malicious damage to property has been opened. Police are yet to arrest suspects, while the Provincial Investigative Unit is investigating the case.
“We condemn these acts of violence between WATA and Nanduwe as they undermine the work that our department together with the taxi industry have been doing to stabilize the province. We call on law enforcement to swiftly deal with those behind the violence,” said Mamabolo.
He said the conflict culminated from tensions over routes between the two association, according to the police, two drivers were assaulted on Friday.
“We call on the taxi industry to refrain from violence. Their leadership should take responsibility and end this,” said Mamabolo.
The Department of Roads and Transport has since adopted an open-door policy that allows taxi operators a platform to raise their concerns without the use of violence. This is in line with its Growing Gauteng Through Smart Mobility vision which has prioritised support mechanisms to assist the taxi industry to modernise and shed its negative reputation and become sustainable.
The incident comes only days after similar scenes were seen in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape during a clash between the taxi industry and Somali business owners.