File
Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has appointed a six-member task team to mediate the ongoing conflict between warring taxi associations, Bata and Uncedo, in the Eastern Cape.
This, as violence linked to ongoing disputes, claimed the lives of 29 people between last year and this year.
Bhisho says the Premier’s intervention also follows Wednesday's fatal shooting of four people, including an innocent bystander, at the offices of the Border Alliance Taxi Association in Mdantsane in East London on Wednesday.
"The six-member task team will include well-known and respected elders, Bishop Ziphozihle Siwa, Vuyo Zitumane, Dr Nondumiso Mapazi, Advocate Thandile Zondeki, Mzukisi Njotini and Dr Oversea Nabileyo," according to Premier Mabuyane.
He has directed the task team to facilitate engagements and act as a mediator between the warring factions of the two major taxi associations in the province and their affiliated associations.
Mabuyane said this was the first leg of the Eastern Cape Government's intervention to bring an end to the conflict.
The second leg will see the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry which will investigate the underlying causes of taxi violence in the province that has recurred for a number of years.
Details of this will be made public in due course.
"Our view is that it is critical to get all sections of the industry to talk together and try to resolve their differences," Mabuyane said.
The Premier also called on the two associations, drivers and operators to support and cooperate with the members of the task team as well as ensure a solution-driven approach in the engagements.
