JOHANNESBURG Metro Police head David Tembe says Operation Nomakanjani is still on course despite earlier reports that it had been suspended.

"There was a breakdown in communication on our part which led to the statement made by JMPD on Saturday," said Tembe.

"They (JMPD management) probably tried to get hold of me and they failed, hence the statement."

Tembe was reacting to the confusion which erupted after Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said Operation Nomakanjani had been suspended after a meeting with taxi operators.

About 5000 taxi drivers from 21 associations had threatened to go on a strike if the operation was not suspended.

This culminated in Saturday's meeting in which JMPD decided it was "best for commuters" that the operation be suspended. Tembe did not take part in that meeting.

But taxi owners were stunned yesterday when Sergeant Jack Mabaso was back in the Johannesburg CBD - doing what he does best - arresting reckless drivers.

But Tembe told Sowetan yesterday that the operation would not be suspended. "You can't suspend law enforcement. It is like suspending the existence of JMPD because that is what we do - arrest people for reckless driving."

Yesterday Tembe requested the taxi industry to table their concerns at JMPD headquarters tomorrow.

More than 2000 drivers have been arrested since Operation Nomakanjani began on March 9.

During the operation traffic cops arrest drivers instead of issuing fines for offences such as skipping a red traffic light or a stop sign, changing lanes illegally and talking on cellphones while driving.