By Celani Sikhakhane
- KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi warned taxi operators on Saturday that he would shut their ranks for harassing private motorists.
- Taxi operators on the N2 have been stopping private motorists giving people lifts and demanding R500 or more from drivers.
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has warned taxi operators in the province that he will shut down their ranks if they do not stop harassing private drivers who give lifts to stranded passengers.
Mkhwanazi spoke on Saturday at a special meeting between two rival taxi associations, the KwaMaphumulo Taxi Association and the KwaDukuza Taxi Association.
The two groups have been fighting over routes, among other disputes, and their long-standing tensions have led to traffic disruptions and violence. He called the meeting to tackle the root cause of the conflict and find lasting solutions.
Taxi operators on the N2 between Stanger and kwaMaphumulo have been stopping private motorists who give lifts to stranded passengers along the road. When operators catch a motorist giving someone a lift, they demand R500 or more.
In some cases, they also tow the car to the nearest taxi rank and demand a ransom of R2,000.
“I am warning you against the harassment of private motorists who happened to give lift to the people. We are told that some of the taxi operators are abusing motorists for giving lift to stranded passengers on the roads.
“No one is allowed to do that and I am warning you against such behaviour,” Mkhwanazi said.
Pictured above: KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Image source: AI generated
