Picture: 54 vehicles impounded during a clampdown operation/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari said, they will continue to ensure that there is law and order in Stilfontein, near Klerksdorp. This comes after the department impounded 54 vehicles in the taxi violence clampdown.
“Recently, we have experienced taxi-related violence in the province. The resurgent conflict follows a long period of calmness and few incidents experienced were dealt with amicably.
“However, recently, there had been shootings in Khuma Township, near Stilfontein. The violence allegedly perpetuated by illegal immigrants that may be linked to zama-zamas (illicit miners), has claimed three lives already,” Lehari said.
He further said, to deal with the rising incidents, they have applied extraordinary measures in terms of the National Land Transport Act (NLTA) 5 of 2009. Lehari added that the measures empower law enforcement agencies to intervene as conflicts have been experienced in other municipalities as well.
“We have experienced the same challenges in Madibeng, Rustenburg, Moses Kotane, Mahikeng, JB Marks, and the Kgetleng River. The government had to intercede before the violence spiral out of control.
“The brashness of these intrusions is so brazen that this leaves us with no choice, but to restore law and order. As we have seen with the seizure, law enforcement officers will not be lenient with anyone violating the law,” he said.
In a search and seizure crackdown around Stilfontein, Lehari said 54 vehicles were impounded. He said these vehicles were seized for a variety of offenses that include illegal operations. Lehari said some of the legal operators were on routes that are not permitted in their licenses and they used non-compliant vehicles.
“We must do what is right and ensure everyone is in compliance with the law. Few motorists who will be on the wrong side of the law will be unhappy, but many law-abiding citizens will express gratitude.
“Some of the vehicles were released after fines were paid, but owners could not hide their disappointments when we met with them at the Khuma Taxi rank. The rank curiously situated in front of the Khuma Police Station is said to be the nucleus of the conflict,” said Lehari.
Some of the operators who patiently waited for Lehari urged him to end the violence. They alleged that they are prisoners in their own homes and they live in fear. Lehari said they will continue with these operations and their next stop will be Rustenburg, as it has also experienced conflicts between bus operators and taxi operators.
Meanwhile, the NWPTIT chairperson, Star Vilakazi said: “If matters are left unattended, they could stir instability in other areas and could spill to other provinces as well as some of these operators travel to Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and Limpopo.”
The Guardian 