EC Transport Dept in talks with taxi operators to find long-term solution to grievances
Calm has been restored to Mthatha following a taxi strike that led to the looting of trucks.
Eastern Cape Transport and Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha. Picture: facebook.com/doteasterncape
JOHANNESBURG - The Eastern Cape Transport Department is in talks with taxi operators in Mthatha to find long-term solutions to their grievances.
Calm has been restored to the area, following a taxi strike that led to the looting of trucks.
Tensions flared when taxi bosses demanded for police to return confiscated guns to their owners.
READ: EC Premier Mabuyane says some guns confiscated from taxi operators linked to criminality
This is the fourth incident involving taxi operators in the province this month, with at least two people killed in one of the incidents.
Following the reopening of roads in Mthatha, the Transport Department said that MEC Xolile Nqatha was in meetings with taxi associations in the province to ensure that Monday's actions were not repeated.
It said the strike was a signal that there were deeper issues, as the owners of the guns had already been contacted to collect their firearms the night before the strike.
"Not just in Mthathaa but across the board because what happened yesterday was unprecedented, it was just uncalled for," said Eastern Cape Transport Department's Unathi Binqose.
Police remain on high alert in the province to prevent any disruption as South Africans head to the polls on Wednesday.