The uproar, worry and aftermath
By Kabelo Makatse
Almost two months ago on the 31st of January police spread along Hendrick Potgieter and Peter Road in Ruimsig , due to a shootout that took place between two taxi associations.
A taxi owner from Dobsonville, Roodepoort, Leratong and Jo’burg Taxi Association (Dorljota) was shot to death right on the corner of Hendrick Porgieter and Peter Roads by drivers from rival taxi group Faraday Taxi Association.
Recently The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) reassured the nation that there was calamity and that a “taxi war” was not occurring and that the violence was subsiding. SANTACO’s deputy secretary, Bafana Magagula said in a statement “There’s a program which is called Hlokomela (take care) which is aimed at changing the attitude of the people, so that people can value human life”.
It is believed that the violence is still happening in the area as the people of Ruimsig live in fear of mishaps arising. One student, Vanessa Caetano, from Monash University South Africa, which is in the vicinity, angrily said “The other day I was in a taxi heading to Cresta and I was told to duck down as a rival taxi driver would hit the driver who was driving my friend and I, if he saw that he had passengers in his vehicle. The violence has to stop NOW!”
This proves that students as well as Ruimsig residents are not safe and that drastic measures need to be undertaken because innocent lives are being taken. Taxi passengers are either left stranded or feeling scared and threatened.
The provincial South African Police Service (SAPS) need to draw up a solid plan and definitely stick to it. They must carry on with the investigation both vigorously and thoroughly.
