KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has warned taxi associations against forcing motorists to remove passengers from private vehicles, urging members of the public to report such incidents.
Mkhwanazi said this on Saturday during a meeting aimed at resolving long-standing tensions between the KwaDukuza Taxi Association and the KwaMaphumulo Taxi Association.
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The meeting, attended by taxi owners, law enforcement officials and transport stakeholders, was held at the Ntshawini Community Hall in KwaDukuza, northern KwaZulu-Natal.
The meeting followed a shooting incident on Friday along Doesburg Road in KwaDukuza.
Although no one was injured, two vehicles were shot at, and nearby houses were struck by stray bullets.
Police recovered more than 50 spent cartridges at the scene and seized more than 20 firearms from two security companies guarding members of the rival associations.
Addressing the taxi associations, Mkhwanazi stressed that no individual or organisation in South Africa has the authority to enforce the law outside the legal framework.
Mkhwanazi warned that strong action will be taken against anyone found forcing motorists not to give lifts to members of the public and anyone forcing the public to only use taxis as a mode of transport.
“If I ever find that a taxi association, private security company, Shanela operation or any individual has forced motorists not to give people lifts and to use taxis, that person will be arrested,” he said.
He added that security companies involved in such actions could face severe consequences.
“I will also write to their head office so their firearms can be confiscated. By the time the security personnel are arrested, that company will no longer be operating.”
Mkhwanazi further warned that taxi associations implicated in such behaviour could face closure.
He emphasised that citizens who stop along the roadside to offer lifts are within their rights to do so and should not be intimidated.
“Citizens who stop to give others a lift have the right to do that. Taxi associations cannot stop them,” he said.
Mkhwanazi urged members of the public who feel intimidated or victimised by taxi operators or security personnel to gather as much information as possible and report it to the police.
“An investigation will be conducted,” he said.
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Police officials, including acting iLembe District Commissioner Sbongile Mhlongo and provincial head of Operational Response Services Thembinkosi Msimango, are working alongside taxi industry leaders, including Bhoyi Zondi, to find solutions to end the escalating tensions.
