Taxis cause havoc
2007-05-03
THE threat of taxi violence became a reality last week, when disgruntled taxi owners blockaded Jan van Riebeeck Drive near Mbekweni.
Disgruntled taxi owners affiliated to CATA, staged a protest on Thursday morning at the corner of May and Blignaut Streets, which forms the border between Wellington and Mbekweni.
The Wellington Taxi Association has been barring these operators from transporting commuters between the Mbekweni and Wellington.
Other taxi drivers also voiced their dissatisfaction at the slow rate at which permits are being issued.
On Thursday morning CATA taxis blocked Wellington taxis from proceeding on their routes.
This set the stage for a showdown, with drivers affiliated to the two taxi associations hurling abuse at each other.
Police from Wellington, Mbekweni and Paarl, were quick to respond to the area to ensure that violence did not erupt.
While the police were keeping the peace here, news of the protest spread further amongst CATA operators.
Hereafter close to 40 taxis converged on Jan van Riebeeck Drive, blocking the east bound dual carriageway at Mbekweni.
This disrupted the already heavy flow of traffic which was preparing to leave the area for the long weekend.
A police contingency, heavily armed with rifles and teargas cannisters, kept a watchful eye on the protesters, while Paarl police-chief Snr/Supt Mzwandile Tiyo negotiated with the operators.
The taxis eventually left the scene on their own free will, while representatives proceeded to Wellington where talks were held between the various parties.
A spokesperson for the traffic authorities said that a further meeting on Wednesday ended in the two parties coming to a truce and the Wellington Taxi Association accepting in principal the right of CATA operators with valid permits to share the disputed route.
Snr/Supt Tiyo condemned the action and said that the police would not tolerate any taxi violence and that operators should not think that they were above the law.
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