Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
28 July 1996
TAXI VIOLENCE OUTBREAK AT DIEPKLOOF IN SOWETO
A taxi violence broke out yesterday (27/07/96) at Diepkloof after one taxi operator was shot at and killed by two unidentified men. Subsequently to that one person was injured, six minibuses were burnt and nine damaged. This violence is between two taxi organisations called the Soweto Taxi Association and Soweto Taxi Services.
The MEC for Public Safety and Security in Gauteng, Ms Jessie Duarte, would like to condemn such a cowardly and unrespectful act which has now claimed one life of a person and damage to property. The Ministry will never tolerate such actions which are fermenting violence within the taxi industry. The Ministry would like to issue a strong warning and is calling on the two organisations involved to solve their differences in a proper and sober manner before many innocent lives are lost.
Decisive steps have since been taken by the police to restore peace and stability in the area. High police visibility is being maintain and patrols are taking place around taxi routes. A police helicopter is also on standby to conduct air surveillance in order to support police patrols on the ground.
The situation is calm but very tense at the moment, the police presence in the area last night has helped up to so far and this is going to be maintained until the situation is back to normality.
The MEC therefore would like to issue a warning to taxi commuters to be very cautious and always be on the alert, they must not fall victims of these well planned actions by people who want to destabilised peace which has been maintained in the taxi industry.
ISSUED BY: GAUTENG MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY
ENQUIRIES: MBULELO MUSI
TEL: 082 571 3591