Frank Maponya

Frank Maponya

The Sekgosese Taxi Association (Sekta) in Limpopo has accused two rival associations of operating on their routes illegally.

Sekta accuses members of the Balobedu Long Distance Taxi Association (Baldta) and the Bolobedu United Taxi Association (Buta) of intruding on routes without legal permits.

Baldta and Buta are allegedly in cahoots in refusing Sekta members permission to ferry commuters between Modjadjiskloof and Mamaila in Sekgosese.

This is despite a valid permit Sekta obtained from the provincial transportation board, allowing them to operate in those areas.

Sekta chairman Matome Serumula says they started operating on the route in 1974 without any problems.

He says problems arose in 1998 when the two organisations came together to fight Sekta over the routes.

Several meetings were held to try and resolve the impasse but resolutions taken at the meetings were never implemented.

One resolution barred Baldta from interfering with the operations of associations registered in Limpopo because Baldta was registered in Gauteng.

Serumula also accuses Butu members of fueling conflicts by expelling his members from Modjadjiskloof.

"The situation is getting worse by the day," Serumula says. "Some of us have been beaten by members of rival associations and the police do nothing about it."

Greater Letaba municipality mayor Joshua Matlou says a meeting has been scheduled to discuss the matter.