Bullets fly as taxi associations clash
ATTACK: A taxi driver inspects a taxi that was damaged during yesterday's taxi violence between two rival taxi associations in Soweto. Three suspects have been arrested. Picture: Itumeleng English ATTACK: A taxi driver inspects a taxi that was damaged during yesterday's taxi violence between two rival taxi associations in Soweto. Three suspects have been arrested. Picture: Itumeleng English
The minibus taxi lay at the bottom of an embankment, engulfed in fire and billowing smoke, as the sound of small explosions came from inside.
The taxi burnt as tension between the Witwatersrand Africa Taxi owners Association (Wata) and the Nancefield Dube West Taxi Association (Nanduwe), reached a high yesterday.
Taxis were damaged as drivers from the two rival associations battled over routes resulting in several shootings.
Attacks took place with commuters still inside the vehicles.
One passenger, who asked to remain anonymous, described her terror as a large group attacked the taxi she was in.
“They had rocks and guns - we all started screaming when they started smashing the windows. I ran for my life. They were shouting at us to get out of the taxi and threatened our lives. I didn't think I'd get out alive.”
At the scene in Dube, Soweto, Gauteng police spokesperson Kay Makhubele said no one had been injured, but several taxis had been damaged.
“The violence is between Wata and Nanduwe taxi associations. We believe it is connected to fighting over routes.”
Makhubele said the police had arrested three people in connection with the shooting.
Transport MEC Ismail Vadi said, “The dispute (over routes) was formally heard by the Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE) in terms of Section 79 of the National Land Transport Act. The ruling by PRE infers that Wata has irregularly encroached on the routes registered in the name of Nanduwe.”