Violent taxi riots 'over fines'
|Published
FLAMES: Truck burns near Joe Slovo. Picture: Henk Kruger/ANA FLAMES: Truck burns near Joe Slovo. Picture: Henk Kruger/ANA
The violent protest in Dunoon and Milnerton escalated over the weekend, as protesters set fire to a truck and stoned vehicles. This led to road closures and traffic congestion on main roads.
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Andrè Traut, said two arrests have been made.
“On the N7, not far from Joe Slovo, a truck was set alight. Our forces will remain in the area to maintain law and order,” he said.
Mayco Member for
Safety and Security, JP Smith, said that 71 traffic officers had been deployed in the affected areas to ensure traffic flow.
The Metro police department’s Tactical Response Team had also been deployed to support SAPS’ Public Order Policing Unit.
“The unrest started earlier this week, allegedly in response to an operation by our traffic
service around minibus taxis,” Smith said.
“Taxi drivers and owners believe that they should not be fined or arrested for offences, and that the City should first hold discussions with them about these offences (before taking action). This is a
preposterous proposal.”
DEPLOYED: Officers on scene. Picture: Henk Kruger/ANA
However, Dunoon Taxi Association secretary-general Frank Qotyiwe said the four associations operating in the area would not back down until the City heeded their call for the approval of off-route permits.
“We have been applying for permits for these routes, but to no avail. Instead, we are met with spot fines of R7500 or impoundments, which is
ridiculous,” Qotyiwe said.
He said the associations were pleading with the City’s Law Enforcement to “suspend all traffic operations until we have had an opportunity to table our grievances to (mayco member for transport) Felicity Purchase and find an amicable solution”.
He said the associations understood the frustration of commuters, but could not
abandon their fight as the fines were severely affecting their profitability.
Purchase, who condemned the protest, said the Sanddrift MyCiTi station had been closed until further notice.
Weekend Argus