Gauteng Premier David Makhura. Photo: Naude/African News Agency(ANA)
Taxi violence is the subject of a new commission set up by Gauteng Premier David Makhura who is desperate to stop the killings in the industry.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura. Photo: Naude/African News Agency(ANA)
Gauteng premier David Makhura has appointed a commission of inquiry into minibus taxi violence, fatalities, and Instability in Gauteng, the provincial government said on Sunday.
“The inquiry will investigate the underlying causes and people behind the ongoing killings in the taxi industry in the province,” it said in a statement.
The commission would be chaired by Justice Jeremiah Buti Shongwe, with Rudolph Lungile Mabece and Hlula Msimang as members of the commission. Dimakatso Mamiki Selesho would be secretary to the commission.
Makhura made a commitment to appoint the commission in July during the second Gauteng taxi summit. The Gauteng government was concerned that the taxi industry was “submerged in violence”, which despite efforts by law enforcement agencies and government continued to worsen.
The taxi industry transported more than 75 percent of commuters during the daily peak hour period, which made it the dominant mode of transport used by commuters in the province, the statement said.
The commission was appointed to inquire into and investigate, make findings, report on, and make recommendations concerning certain aspects:
Makhura had given the commission six months to complete its work and submit its report and recommendations in writing. In addition, the commission may, where necessary, refer those implicated to law enforcement agencies for further investigation or prosecution.
Any person or section of the public, including community organisations, minibus taxi associations, drivers, operators, conductors, and rank marshals, who or which had information which may be relevant to matters to be inquired into by the commission and wanted to give evidence before the commission was invited to contact the secretary of the commission. The secretary would announce the contact details of the commission in due course, the statement said.