Taxi Mayhem angers MEC

By Mikhaila Crowie
12 February 2009

Taxi strikes will continue into the second day of a planned three day strike.

The reason behind the violent protests is due to the proposal of the new Bus Rapid Transport System.

Traffic was backed up on all main roads this morning and is expected to continue tomorrow.

Areas such as Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha are amongst the worst affected by taxi violence, but organisers have agreed to discontinue with violent behaviour, as seen yesterday.

MEC for Community Safety, Patrick McKenzie said his department is extremely concerned that taxis are not heeding their call.

McKenzie said he was fed up and will now call on the police.

“I want the law to prevail, lawlessness we will stop! We will now begin to arrest and will deal with the taxi violence in a hard manner if necessary.”

McKenzie went on to say that this “rubbish will stop” and he will put an end to it soon.