Law-enforcement agencies will in future take strong action against taxi drivers who engage in lawlessness and violent conduct, the Cabinet warned on Thursday.
Briefing the media in Pretoria following Wednesday’s fortnightly Cabinet meeting, government communications head Themba Maseko said a small ”splinter group” within the industry was responsible for the recent violent protests against the taxi-recapitalisation project.
”[The] government condemns the conduct of taxi drivers during the recent demonstrations, which led to disruption of traffic, damage to property and injuries to innocent civilians.
”While we respect the right of every citizen, including taxi drivers, to peaceful protest, breaking the law can never be justified.
”Law-enforcement agencies will take strong action to prevent lawlessness in future.”
He said the campaign to replace South Africa’s ageing taxi fleet with safe, reliable and clean vehicles had the full support of the industry, with the exception of one group.
”A splinter group within the taxi industry is actually spearheading a lot of these [violent] activities.
Transport Minister Jeff Radebe will meet this group over the next week to hear their concerns, and to see what can be done.
”But we will not tolerate any form of criminality or violent conduct in any part of the country, by this or any other group.”
Asked the name of the ”splinter” group, he said: ”I think they call themselves the National Taxi Association, or Alliance, or something like that.”
Support for Selebi
Meanwhile, the Cabinet reiterated its support on Thursday for police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi.
Maseko said the government will not hesitate to act if evidence of wrongdoing is found, but until such time it will support Selebi.
”In the absence of any evidence of wrongdoing or involvement in illegal activities, no action would be taken against the national commissioner.”
The Cabinet also said on Thursday that the nature of crime in South Africa justifies the existence of two investigation agencies — the South African Police Service and the Scorpions.
Maseko said ”extraordinary” measures to fight crime such as two investigation agencies are needed.
He said although there will always be tensions between the two agencies, the leaking of information is unacceptable.
”What we find totally unacceptable is the continued leakage of details about the investigations, which serves to sow confusion and strengthen the misconception that the agencies are actively working against each other,” he said. — Sapa