Incidences of violence and deaths in the KwaZulu-Natal minibus taxi industry are on the decline, says Willies Mchunu, the province's MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison.
Mchunu addressed the South African National Taxi Council’s Annual General Meeting in Newcastle on Friday night.
In a statement released on Sunday, Mchunu said the province’s minibus taxi industry had stabilised.
“The incidents of violence and killings have gone down…We are satisfied with progress made,” said Mchunu.
The province has been plagued by deadly minibus taxi violence. On September 16, 2015, three people were killed during a shoot-out at Durban's Brook Street taxi rank. The shooting was over a long standing dispute between the Zamokuhle Long Distance Taxi Association and Sonke Long Distance Taxi Association.
Twelve men who have been accused of being involved in the shooting are expected to appear at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on March 23.
Mchunu said among the areas which have stabilised through peaceful negotiations were Nongoma, Mandeni, KwaDukuza, Maphumulo, Folweni, Bergville, Port Shepstone, Howick, and Newcastle.
He said KwaNdengezi and Molweni were still experiencing cases of violence.
“We are determined to eliminate violence in the taxi industry, even in the few remaining areas. We will move swiftly to ensure that operators and commuters are safe.”
Mchunu also announced that the department was in the process of fast tracking the issuing of operating licences.
“Three new offices have been opened in Empangeni, Port Shepstone, and Ladysmith, and the department is working on opening another new office in Jozini.”
He said the new offices would assist improve the issuing of operating licences to deserving operators.
“Previously operators used to travel to Pietermaritzburg to apply for operating licences but now services are accessible closer to their locations,” said Mchunu.
Source: News24
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