Rival taxi groups smoke peace pipe

06 November 2008 - 02:00
By unknown

Alfred Moselakgomo

Alfred Moselakgomo

The sporadic taxi violent protests that left commuters stranded in Witbank, Mpumalanga, have ended.

On Monday two local taxi associations slugged it out with a long-distance association over the sharing of routes.

But yesterday the provincial roads and transport department intervened and the conflict between Witbank's Local Taxi Associations (Lota), Duva United Long Distance Taxi Association (DULDTA) and Emalahleni Taxi Industry (ETI) was resolved.

Authorities say conflict erupted after a misunderstanding about the transportation of commuters from in and around Witbank by Lota and the DULDTA.

The department, Emalahleni municipality and members of SAPS convened a meeting with all three taxi associations.

"The meeting took a resolution to establish a task team that will resolve all the problems and causes of the conflict," said departmental spokesman David Nkambule, pictured.

Operations in the taxi ranks have since resumed.