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In a meeting held at Riverside Government Complex on the 30th of March 2015, MEC Nhlengethwa told taxi associations operating in Mbombela Taxi Rank to work together or else face suspension of all taxi operation in and around Mbombela Municipality. This is after a taxi conflict that took place at Mbombela Taxi Rank yesterday morning (30th of March 2015), wherein violence erupted and commuters were left stranded.

“You go back and work together in the Mbombela Taxi Rank or else I will suspend all taxi operations in the entire Mbombela area for 14 days. This means that there will be no minibus taxi that will be allowed to operate in the entire Mbombela Municipality whilst I have suspended the operations. I will advise commuters to use other modes of transport in the meantime, if you do not co-operate and work together.  Government takes strong exceptions to unlawful acts and will not hesitate to take actions to protect the rights of all citizens to move freely without intimidation. The Provincial Government express utmost regret and unconditionally apologize to all road users and commuters for the inconvenience caused by the disruptions,” she said.

After the meeting, taxi operators committed to go back and work together whilst engagements are proceeding. The meeting further resolved to open the Mbombela taxi rank after the temporal closure and all stakeholders are expected to work within the parameter of the law. Government will assess stability within the Mbombela Taxi Rank for the next two days and take further decision whether to suspend taxi operations in the entire Mbombela area or maintain the status quo.

The MEC has appointed a task team to look at all issues relating to routes and operating licences. The committee will start its work on the 1st of April 2015 and table a report by the end of June 2015 to MEC Nhlengethwa. The Taxi rank management committee will continue with its operations of day to day management of the taxi rank. No illegal operation will be allowed to operate outside the Mbombela Taxi Rank. The MEC and the Executive Mayor are open to any dialogue with the taxi associations through the Mpumalanga Taxi Council

Issued by Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport