Issued by: Department of Transport KwaZulu-Natal
11 June 2000
The statement by former IFP of KZN provincial legislature Mr Mzameni Mthiyane goes completely contrary to agreed policy positions and against all efforts to consolidate peace in the province written in impeccable English he purposed to speak on behalf of the Durban Metro Taxi committee. It was faxed from the IFP Durban office. In it Mr Mthiyane vows to " Ensure that the recapitalization of the taxi industry does not succeed at all."
In an industry characterised by killings, assassinations, road blockage and generalised violence, Mr Mthiyane's statement is the most reckless, irresponsible and unrepresentative statement the has been putted to paper since February 2000. What does" at all cost" mean Mr Mthiyane.
Firstly this statement does not not represent the vies of Durban Metro Taxi Committee or any Taxi formation in KZN. Let Mr Mthiyane produce those colleagues of his with whom he is going to stop recapitalisation process "at all cost" mean Mr Mthiyane.
Secondly this inflammatory statement does not represent the views of the government of South Africa made up of the ANC and IFP at both provincial and national level.
Thirdly, he claims to be the Chairperson of the Durban Metro Taxi Association. Where and when was elected as chairperson? Precisely because the taxi industry does not have properly elected structures, a massive democratization drive is taking place in July this year. This will involve all 287 taxi associations in the province. All have agreed to go through democratic elections within their associations. It goes with "BE LEGAL" campaign. The end of this process will see a properly structured industry, speaking through legitimate leaders and for the genuine interest of the industry.
How therefore does Mr Mthiyane become "only legitimate body representing all taxi operators in Durban Metro" as he claims?
On 29 February 2000, I convened a Taxi Summit at Durban Light Infantry (DLI) Hall to address the confusion arising out of the recapitalization process. Mr Mthiyane was there and vocal. The issue was never that the industry opposed recapitalization or that the government did not consult with the industry. The issue was that the taxi operators asserted that the leaders of the taxi industry that have been in continuos consultation with government since 1995 did not keep the whole industry informed about what was going on. Having been briefed about the recapitalization, the taxi operators said they were going back to consider and consult.
A subsequent meeting with the taxi industry took place in Uvongo/ Margate on the 3rd, 4th and 5th May this year - for THREE DAYS. It went through all the details of the process. Full agreement was reached. The Durban Metro was an active participant. Who is Mr Mthiyane speaking for?
Whatever shortcomings existed within the Provincial Taxi Task Team, were remedied on the 29 February 2000 by the addition of six more members from the Durban Metro on whose behalf Mr Mthiyane purports to speak.
There is a Taxi Office paid for by the Department of Transport as part of supporting the taxi industry. Why is it that Mr Mthiyane operates from the IFP office?
For more information please contact Mlungisi Ndhlela at 082 5666 781
ISSUED BY: SBU NDEBELE, KWAZULU-NATAL MINISTER OF TRANSPORT