Creecy, stop the taxi war

MK: CALL ON TRANSPORT MINISTER TO INTERVENE IN E-HAILING, TAXI DRIVER STANDOFF

- Itumeleng Mafisa

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party has appealed to the Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy to intervene in the standoff between e-hailing and taxi drivers.

The appeal follows Soweto residents' demand that taxi drivers leave Maponya Mall within seven days after an e-hailing driver was shot dead on Wednesday.

Another driver and a passerby were injured in the attack and two cars were burnt by a group of men.

Forensic services only arrived on the scene at around 11am yesterday.

Although the suspects are unknown, taxi drivers have been accused of intimidating e-hailing drivers at Maponya Mall and other shopping centres in Joburg.

"We call on the minister of transport to take an unequivocal stand against this violence and to ensure the safety of all public transport operators, whether taxi drivers, e-hailing drivers or lift club members and the commuters they serve," said MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela.

Uber and Bolt drivers have complained about intimidation at Soweto's malls for years.

They previously alleged that their cars were "confiscated" by taxi associations and they would be made to pay a fine of up to R5 000 for picking up passengers at areas, including some malls.