27 July 2000
Minister of Transport, Dullah Omar, today condemned in the strongest terms the latest shooting at a Golden Arrow Bus which resulted in the killing of a driver and passenger and injuring others. Minister Omar called on the police to do everything in their power to bring these faceless killers to justice. He has communicated with Minister Steve Tshwete (Safety and Security) in this regard.
In view of the fact that none of the previous killers have been brought to justice and no arrests have been made in the Western Cape, he is asking Minister Tshwete and the National Director of Public Prosecutions Mr Bulelani Ngcuka to ask the Scorpions to intervene and to conduct the investigations.
Minister Omar met with MEC for Transport in the Western Cape, Mr Piet Meyer, this morning. Both were attending the launch of the Gauteng Provincial Taxi Council in Johannesburg, at which Minister Omar delivered the opening address. In his discussions with MEC Piet Meyer, Minister Omar indicated that there can be no settlement of any kind arising out of the mediation processes launched by the Western Cape government, unless law and order was restored. He indicated that national and provincial government must co-operate, but tougher action was necessary to send out a clear signal that solutions cannot be imposed at the point of a gun.
Accordingly Minister Omar has asked MEC Piet Meyer to meet with him again so that a programme of tough action can be implemented. The Western Cape government has previously refused to close taxi ranks and this position must be reviewed. Both MEC Piet Meyer and Minister Dullah Omar left the Gauteng Taxi conference early to enable them to return to Cape Town to deal with the matter firsthand.
Minister Omar hopes that the replacement of MEC Wiley will result in greater positive action to ensure that law and order is imposed and maintained. He will co-operate with provincial government to achieve this result. His second meeting with MEC Piet Meyer takes place early this evening. Minister Omar expresses condolences to the bereaved families.
Issued by Mike Mabasa
Media Liaison Officer to the Minister of Transport, Dullah Omar
Pretoria, 083 680 7048