The African National Congress in Gauteng has called for an end to the ongoing violence between metered taxi operators and Uber.<\/p>\n
In a statement on Friday, the party said it was “deeply concerned at the escalation in acts violence”.<\/p>\n
“We call on the law enforcement authorities and the relevant state departments to take stern action to put an end to the continuing territorial battles,” spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said.<\/p>\n
On Thursday evening, police were on “high alert” in Sandton after two vehicles, believed to be Uber taxis, were set alight near a Gautrain station, police said.<\/p>\n
Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said the two drivers escaped unharmed.<\/p>\n
Masondo said the drivers were apparently sitting in the cars when a group of men poured petrol into the vehicles and set them alight.<\/p>\n
Transport Minister Joe Maswanganyi has condemned the acts of violence, the torching of operators’ vehicles, and intimidation.<\/p>\n
Maswanganyi reminded operators of an agreement made at the 10111 Command Centre in Midrand on July 27.<\/p>\n
He said that during the meeting, it was agreed that the National Land Transport Act of 2009 (NLTA) made provision for the regulation of road-based public transport.<\/p>\n
The act forms the basis to resolve the challenges confronting the industry, he said.<\/p>\n
Maswanganyi said that to ensure a safe environment for both the public and public transport operators, the law enforcement agencies would monitor the identified hotspots to prevent acts of intimidation and violence.<\/p>\n
“Perpetrators of violence and intimidation will be immediately dealt with in terms of the applicable laws.”<\/p>\n