Given this, I convened a high level meeting this morning, which included: Ministers Skwatsha and Ramatlakane and Commissioner Petros and their top officials, Mr. Nel, Head of the National Intelligence Agency - Western Cape, Ms. Shanick, Acting Chief of Municipal Police, Mr Merrington, Traffic Manager for Cape Town and Mr. Mbombo, Registrar of Taxis.
The meeting was confident that provincial and local law enforcement agencies had the necessary capacity to deal with the conflict and consequently do not see the need for the involvement of the SANDF. Visible policing will deal with the sporadic outbreak of violence through greater visibility at hot spots, strategic roadblocks and the cordoning off of taxi ranks if the need arises. The aim of these measures is to confiscate illegal weapons, inhibit violence and restore a sense of confidence and peace.
Police investigations assisted by intelligence services are far advanced to apprehend those responsible for planned assassinations of taxi drivers. At the meeting I underscored that we will not hesitate to act if it is found that such plans were devised in the leadership levels of the taxi associations.
Minister Skwatsha will soon proclaim a provincial vehicle pound so that law enforcement agencies can be legally empowered to confiscate taxis of those involved in illegal activities. Over and above these immediate interventions, urgent attention will also be paid to the policy issues that address the underlying reasons for the volatility in the taxi industry. The meeting agreed that lasting peace and stability lies in the establishment of a single integrated public transport system that will integrate the taxi industry as a permanent element in a larger, safer, efficient and affordable system.
Please contact Clayton Wakeford or Mahendra Shunmoogam on [082 579 2741] for any further input or clarification and or interview requests.
