For Immediate Release
11th August 2022
SATAWU ON EASTERN CAPE TAXI VIOLENCE AND KILLINGS
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) condemns the killings and violence in the Taxi Industry in the Eastern Cape with the strongest terms. SATAWU understands that there are unresolved issues in the Taxi industry in the province, one of the biggest challenges is routes in and outside the province, and it is now out of control. However, these problems do not justify the violence that took place in East London in Mdantsane, where four (4) people were shot and killed opposite a rank office yesterday afternoon. The union is of the view that there are legal actions that can be taken to address concerns and dissatisfaction without killing innocent commuters and innocent drivers who are not even Taxi owners.
It is very disturbing that the death toll is now over twenty (20) since the beginning of the year. It is quite clear that there are serious challenges and problems in the Taxi industry in the Eastern Cape. Almost every month if not every week there is an incident of shooting and violence in that province and a lot of people have died, and it has been happening for years now. For an example another taxi related shooting took place last month in Peddie Taxi Rankand As SATAWU we will not tolerate this this barbaric behaviour and it must come to an end, we as a country cannot go on like this.
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) is going to seek an urgent meeting with the Taxi owners, Stakeholders and the MEC of Transport in the Province to find ways of dealing with this problem. We are also aware of the fact that no one has been arrested in this regard, we call on our law enforcement agencies to investigate these killings and whoever is behind must be arrested. We are calling on everyone who might have information to anonymously report these criminals to the nearest South African Police Service.
We wish to send our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. They are in our prayers. We wish to inform our people that we will be visiting the province very soon and we will continue seeking ways to get rid of this disgusting behaviour in the taxi industry not just in the Eastern Cape but in the country.
Issued by SATAWU