Mbalula threatens 'punitive measures' to quell KZN taxi violence
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula says he's concerned about the ongoing conflict in the taxi industry.
This week it emerged that taxi-related violence claimed the lives of 24 people in the first six months of the year within the Ugu and Harry Gwala Districts on the South Coast.
This is compared to five taxi violence-related killings in the same period last year, prompting Police Minister Bheki Cele to descend onto the area this week.
In a statement, Mbalula says he is committed to the implementation of the resolutions reached during the national taxi lekgotla, which include the introduction of punitive measures against those who are party to taxi violence.
READ: Cele - Task team to deal with ongoing Ugu, Harry Gwala taxi violence
"The impact on the fuel hikes on the public transport industry is a matter that is also a concern on the minister. The impact of the fuel hikes on ordinary citizens who rely on the taxi industry cannot be downplayed," says Mbalula's spokesperson Lwazi Khoza.
"I will engage with the leadership of the taxi industry on this matter within a broader context of government interventions to alleviate the fuel price impact on the cost of living on ordinary citizens."
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