The Gauteng government has condemned violent and aggressive behaviour exhibited by a group of men believed to be meter taxi operators earlier today.

The Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi this morning launched a process to regulate Uber partner-drivers as Public Transport Operators.

While the MEC was preparing to leave the venue where the launch took place in central Johannesburg, he was accosted by a group of individuals believed to be meter taxi operators.

The group became extremely aggressive and the MEC’s security detail had to remove him from the scene. The MEC did not sustain any injuries during the incident.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura has condemned the intimidation of the MEC and reiterated government’s commitment to building an integrated, smart, and modernised public transport system.

“We will not be deterred  from building an integrated, affordable, and modernised transport system by any groups or individuals who want to use intimidation and violence to put their perspective across”, the Premier said.

He added that the regulation of Uber will allow for legal operation by these drivers. “We do not agree with those who want to impose their own solutions to the challenges in this sector”, said Premier Makhura.

The Premier added that government is willing to discuss any matters affecting transport operators, but such discussions must happen in a peaceful and orderly manner.

Issued by the Gauteng Provincial Government