CITY CONDEMNS ACTS OF INTIMIDATION DIRECTED AT SCHOLAR AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS

The City of Ekurhuleni calls for cooperation amongst taxi associations and scholar transport operators in the streets of Kempton Park and Thembisa area. This comes amid claims of acts of intimidation recently reported to the office of the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Roads and Transport Cllr Andile Mngwevu.

According to the National Land Transport Act (Act no. 5 of 2009) Sec 72 under transport of scholars, students, teachers and lectures. All Learner Transport Operators or organisations are independent and are not obligated to affiliate under any taxi association.

“We have received very concerning complaints from scholar transport operators regarding acts of intimidation and interference from members of taxi associations operating in the Northern Region of our city. This is completely not acceptable and must be discouraged.

“We urge anyone involved in such acts to refrain from any acts of intimidation towards the scholar transport operators with immediate effect and maintain a respectful and considerate atmosphere for the safety of the industry and the children that are being transported,” appealed MMC Mngwevu, adding that ‘the city and its provincial counterparts are committed to the peaceful movement of our people’.

Since the claims emerged yesterday, the city has deployed members of the EMPD to vigilantly monitor the situation.

No incidents have been reported again so far.