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Early December 2017, I announced the decision to shut down taxi operations in the Ladysmith area within the Alfred Duma Local Municipality in Uthukela District. The decision to suspend taxi operations of Klipriver and Sizwe Taxi associations was taken following incidents of violence that had led to killings of taxi operators, their family members and relatives as well as innocent citizens.
The decision was taken in consultation with the Provincial Executive Council, using powers given to me as a member of the Executive Council by the National Land Transport Act (NLTA), Act No. 5 of 2009. The Act empowers the MEC to apply extraordinary measures to restore calm, peace and stability, where there is conflict and violence.
Since we took the decision to suspend operations in December 2017, there has been relative stability and calm in the area as no further killings have been reported. This proves the correctness of our decision to suspend taxi operations in the area.
We are also pleased with the support we received from the people of Ladysmith, who overwhelmingly supported government in the implementation of its decisions to suspend taxi operations. The people supported us because they knew that government took this decision in the interest of saving their lives. We commend the community of Ladysmith for their patience and calmness during this period despite the hardships of having inadequate transportation.
Today I decided to convene a meeting with various stakeholders in Ladysmith to give feedback on assessments done by law enforcement agencies together with the Department of Transport last week following the decision to suspend taxi operations. I also wanted to hear the views of the members of the community following the implementation of this decision.
Our assessment shows that relative stability has been restored in the area bar yesterday’s unfortunate and anti-peace and development incidence, where protesters blockaded roads and burnt five buses. In addition, we also received submissions from the Chamber of Business in Ladysmith and other organisations who raised their views on the impact of the decision.
I have therefore decided to relax sanctions in the local routes in the interests of the people who still remain with inadequate transport. This means that only local routes will be partially opened on condition that there is no resurfacing of violence in the area. If incidents of violence occur, I will be forced to once again close all taxi operations. However, all long distance routes operated by Klipriver and Sizwe Transport Taxi Associations will remain closed. This decision is taken to benefit learners, some of whom will next week be resuming their academic year.
Police and traffic officers will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and give us reports that will help us to assess the situation. Engagements between the leadership of the taxi industry and other stakeholders will continue with the view of finding long lasting peace and stability.
We emphatically condemn the torching of five buses last night and the barricading of roads, which continued even today. This anarchy will not be tolerated. We have therefore instructed the police to arrest all perpetrators of violence to ensure that there are no further disruptions caused in the area.
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