The Gauteng government's attempt to negotiate with violent taxi organisations sent out the wrong message about crime, the DA said yesterday.

The Gauteng government's attempt to negotiate with violent taxi organisations sent out the wrong message about crime, the DA said yesterday.

The DA's Gauteng transport spokesman, James Swart, said bus drivers in Alexandra in Johannesburg had been attacked recently.

Swart said that the province had reportedly opted to negotiate with the two taxi organisations involved.

"The authorities should not be negotiating with criminals. By doing so they are granting the taxi drivers' fear of legitimate competition the status of legitimate grievances.

"This sends the wrong message and highlights the unwillingness of the police to do their job properly," he said.

Not all taxi organisations were guilty of criminal acts, but those that condoned them gave the whole industry a bad name, he said.

Swart said that the province should bring "the full force of the law against taxi operators who are ready to break the law and even use violence in pursuit of commercial gain". -Sapa