Email driver assaulted in Katlehong, allegedly by members of taxi association on routes
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MEC Jacob Mamabolo.
Gallo Images / Luba Lesolle
- An email driver was assaulted for allegedly operating on the route of a taxi association.
- A suspect was reportedly arrested.
- Gauteng MEC for public transport and road infrastructure Jacob Mamabolo condemned the incident.
Two men, apparently members of the Katlehong People’s Taxi Association (Kapta), were filmed assaulting an email driver after he was apparently caught operating on their route. In a video widely shared on social media Thursday, a white car with the Kapta branding is seen next to a red car with a broken hood, against a tree trunk.
A man is seen assaulting the email driver in Kathehong with a sjambok while another mistreats him.
They then forced him into the branded car.
News24 understands that the driver of the electronic call was chased by the branded vehicle while allegedly driving on a taxi route, before crashing into a tree. Kapta chairman Phaphama Zulu told News24 they are investigating.
“We are investigating the issue however, the guys you see in the video have been arrested,†Zulu said.
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He added that this was not how their patrol boats usually worked. Zulu condemned the violent act, saying the law should run its course.
Gauteng MEC for public transport and road infrastructure Jacob Mamabolo also condemned the attack.
Mamabolo said:
I am appalled at the level of savagery and hatred shown by the individuals who perpetrated this act of violence. These acts are unacceptable and must be condemned. We pledge our solidarity with the victim and wish him a speedy recovery.
He called on the police to apprehend everyone involved in the crime.
Mamabolo added that they have come a long way as a province to deal with the violence of minibus taxis.
“In collaboration with the Provincial South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance (GNTA) and their various associations, the provincial government of Gauteng has [made available] Dispute resolution platforms with the aim of avoiding violence as a means of solving problems in the public transport sector. We have made tremendous progress in this regard. “
READ ALSO | Student seriously injured after being hit by taxi in Durban
SANTACO Secretary General Khazamula Chabalala said it was a horrific criminal act.
“A charge of assault and kidnapping should be brought against these individuals because they forced him into their car after assaulting him,” Chabalala added.
Mamabolo said a suspect has been arrested and faces an assault charge for allegedly injuring the driver.
Gauteng Police have not yet been able to provide further details on the incident.
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