Issued by: North West Communication Service
North West MEC for Transport and Civil Aviation, Mr Frans Vilakazi announced today in press conference held in Mmabatho that he has declared Zeerust and Lehurutshe Magisterial Districts Special Emergeny areas following taxi violence that claimed at least one life last Saturday.
This is according to clauses 7A and 7B of the Transportation Act of 1977 that empower the MEC to declare an area a Special Emergency area whenever taxi violence breaks. Vilakazi said the duration of the Emergency will be for thirty (30) days depending on whether the situation imrpoves or not.
He said one of the reasons for the closing of both the rank and the routes was because the department tried to assist both warring factions but said their assistance was disregarded.
He said both the routes and the ranking facilities will be closed for taxis. He further announced that five taxis have been impounded in a roadblock while trying to operate the said routes.
Vilakazi said alternative transport modes in a form of buses have started operating the said routes since early today and added that there has been free flow of transportation thus far.
He added that should the same situation arise in other parts of the province, the governmetn would not hesitate to employ the same Special Emergency measures.
For future information contact Mr Butler Matlapeng at 0140 834983/4