Intolerance, which is believed to emanate from misunderstanding between taxi associations and truck operators, nearly claimed one life and resulted in two taxi patrol vehicles and two trucks torched in Komatipoort yesterday morning and this morning respectively.
The incident came as a result of dissatisfaction by the truck operators about the services at the border post whereby taxi operators responded following the blockade on the national road.
A confrontation ensured between the two parties. It is alleged that during that confrontation, a firearm was discharged injuring of the truck drivers who was immediately rushed to hospital for medical attention.
In retaliation, it is alleged that truck drivers torched two vehicles belonging to the association at about 07:30.
A case of attempted murder was reported at Komatipoort SAPS whilst there was no formal case yet reported for malicious damage to property following the damaged taxi patrol vehicles. Police in Komatipoort registered a public violence report.
In the early hours of this morning at about 01:30, two trucks were torched and the case of malicious damage to property was registered.
Investigation on the incidents have since been launched.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela condemned the acts of violence and requested the involved parties to bring the relevant departments on board to come up with amicable solution. “We cannot allow the situation whereby people’s lives are at stake whereas there are possible solutions,” warned the General.
