Gauteng Premier David Makhura condemns taxi driver intimidation over Uber

The Gauteng Provincial Government has condemned the “rowdy behaviour” of a group of meter taxi operators.

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport launched a process to regulate Uber partner-drivers as Public Transport Operators earlier on Monday. As Transport MEC Ismail Vadi was preparing to leave the venue of a press briefing outlining the process‚ he was accosted by a group of meter taxi operators.

 “The group became extremely aggressive and the MEC’s security detail had to remove him from the scene. The MEC is well and safe‚” the provincial government said in a statement.

 A TMG Digital reporter on the scene described how the angry men assaulted Vadi‚ causing the MEC to fall to the ground.

Security personnel in the building were just thrown to the sidelines.

 Vadi rose to his feet as he tried to reason with the men‚ but they charged towards him again‚ forcing him to flee for his life.

Premier David Makhura condemned the intimidation.

“We will not tolerate hooliganism and intimidation by any group or individuals in our pursuit to build an integrated‚ affordable‚ and modernised transport system”‚ the Premier said.

 He added that the regulation of Uber will allow for legal operation by these drivers.

“We do not agree with those who want to impose their own solutions to challenges‚” Makhura added.

The Premier said that government is willing to discuss any matters affecting transport operators‚ but these discussions must happen in a peaceful and orderly manner.