The Western Cape’s Transport & Public works MEC, Daylinn Mitchell has appealed to the National Prosecuting Authority to prioritise cases of extortion against members of the minibus taxi industry in the province
Mitchell says his department has been inundated
with complaints from e-hailing operators. He says that minibus taxi operators went
as far as impounding vehicles when they operate in certain communities and at
some shopping malls.
The MEC has condemned the incident.
‘’I have recently engaged the e-hailing and
minibus taxi industry leadership and asked that they condemn these criminal
acts by their members. These acts are
criminal and I will use all legal avenues available to me to bring these
actions to an end. When people linked to the taxi industry are involved in
criminal acts such as extortion, intimidation and murder, my Department plays a
clear supporting role to the SAPS and the NPA, whose mandate it is to ensure
that the rule of law is applied.’’
Mitchell warned that should anyone be found
guilty of these crimes, their licence may be revoked
‘’If any association or operator registered
with the Provincial Taxi Registrar is found guilty of such a criminal act in a
Court of Law, the Registrar and the Provincial Regulatory Entity may act to
de-register such associations or operators and withdraw operating licences of
individual owners.’’
Mitchell says he will not allow the transport
system to be held at ransom.
‘’As the Minister responsible for the
regulation of transport in the province, I will not allow a criminal few to
hold the transport system to ransom. Commuters have a right to choose transport
of their choice and not to be harassed and intimidated when they choose to use
public transport modes and forms which do not suit a selfish few who are
protecting their vested interests.’’
‘’Leaders of the minibus taxi industry must
come out strongly against the ongoing criminal acts of extortion by their
members. This is enough. Extortion will no longer be tolerated,’’ Mitchell added.
Extortion can be reported on 08600 10111.
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