National Taxi Alliance distances itself from Joburg taxi blockade
The National Taxi Alliance (NTA) says the taxi blockade in the Johannesburg CBD on Monday afternoon, was due to political influence.
According to the NTA members of the Wata and Nanduwe associations were being influenced by a third party knows as the Alliance for Transformation for all, who allegedly infiltrated the taxi drivers to picket outside the office of the MEC for Transport.
They handed over a memorandum to MEC Ismail Vadi's office after blockading streets in the CBD against a possible closure of Soweto routes because of recent violence and murders in the taxi industry.
Last week, MEC Vadi said the Nancefield Dube West Taxi Association (Nanduwe) and the Witwatersrand Taxi Association (Wata) routes in Soweto might be closed due to violence, unrest or instability in the public transport industry in the area.
It is understood that the violence was sparked by a disagreement over routes.
The MEC says four people have been killed since this conflict began in January.
The NTA's Alpheus Mlalazi says the memorandum didn't come from the NTA or the affiliated taxi associations Nanduwe or Wata.
"We understand its opportunistic politicians that are trying to infiltrate the taxi industry.
"So, whatever they present definitely doesn't represent our views," says Mlalazi.
Mlalazi adds that talks between the Alliance and the MEC have seen progress and the situation between Nanduwe and Wata will be resolved soon.
Meanwhile, the MEC has condemned the unlawful blockade of the Johannesburg CBD streets by taxi drivers.
"The law says if there is a situation of unrest, violence and instability, the MEC of Roads and Transport can initiate a process of shutting down the routes.
"Larger is the interest of the safety of commuters, residents and other operators in the area, so it's important we get the criteria right, " Vadi said.