EC Transport department seeks SANDF intervention in ongoing taxi violence

Taxi violence

Cape Town — As the taxi violence in the Eastern Cape rages on, the Eastern Cape Department of Transport is seeking assistance from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

The province is currently facing trouble from the protesting taxi operators in Mthatha, who have blocked off roads on the N2, N3 and M61. Department spokesperson, Unathi Bingose, said all travel has been affected and appealed to the SANDF to intervene, TimesLIVE reported.

“They have used trucks to blockade the roads. Law enforcement is on the ground. We are getting reinforcement from the SANDF to try to bring the situation back to normality.” Bingose said,

“Unfortunately, it has affected a lot of things, including schools and airports — just about everything,” he added.

According to The Citizen, Eastern Cape Transport and Community Safety MEC, Xolile Nqatha, has warned people who intend to disrupt the elections in the province.

This comes after a social media post of a man who allegedly called for a complete shutdown of Mthatha and a stop to election campaigns in and around Mthatha shortly before polling day.

Nqatha assured people that there would be no shutdown of Mthatha and said it will try to bring the man responsible for the video to justice. He also said his department, working closely with the police, is determined to end taxi violence in the province without fear or favour or siding with any of the parties involved.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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