{"id":16317,"date":"2022-06-09T00:05:42","date_gmt":"2022-06-08T22:05:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amabhungane.org\/?post_type=stories&#038;p=16317"},"modified":"2024-09-19T14:01:13","modified_gmt":"2024-09-19T14:01:13","slug":"220609-taxi-mafia-blamed-for-deadly-attacks-on-long-distance-buses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/further.co.za\/amabwp\/220609-taxi-mafia-blamed-for-deadly-attacks-on-long-distance-buses\/","title":{"rendered":"Taxi \u2018mafia\u2019 blamed for deadly attacks on long distance buses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On 25 April 2022, as an Intercape bus slowly exited its Cape Town Industria depot, an unidentified man calmly walked towards it and fired &nbsp;over a dozen bullets at the bus before fleeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Video footage from inside the bus shows the driver and another man scrambling for cover while the bus is still in motion, then frantically trying to open the doors. Blood is visible on the driver\u2019s clothes and bus seats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Four days after that attack, the 35-year-old driver, Bangikhaya Machana, died of his injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Machana\u2019s killing comes amid endemic violence targeting long-distance bus operators in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Gauteng.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bus operators allege that minibus taxi associations are behind the violence that has escalated in recent months, and say that disputes over routes and fares are at the heart of the conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Between January 2021 and February 2022, over 150 incidents of shootings, stonings and other acts of violence and intimidation directed at bus drivers and passengers were reported to South African Police Service (SAPS) in the three provinces. Bus operators claim that police inaction has led to further bloodshed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/22055888-commissioned-affidavit-saps?responsive=1&amp;title=1\">In a sworn affidavit<\/a> submitted by Intercape chief executive Johann Ferreira to SAPS for the purpose of opening a criminal case, he detailed how, over the past five years, taxi associations have allegedly tormented Intercape staff, destroyed their property and attempted to extort money directly from him and other bus operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He accuses taxi associations of resorting to mafia-style tactics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He wrote of Machana\u2019s murder, \u201cA man was shot in cold blood while simply doing his work. On 28 April 2022 his family was left behind alone. That man died. The cause: taxi violence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Taxi \u2018mafia\u2019 blamed for deadly attacks on long distance buses\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aMj_bkuNwUY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Idutywa, Machana\u2019s family is still reeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His father Nkululo Machana said he was elated when his son was employed at Intercape in June 2021. He says Bangikhaya immediately began paying the costs of educating his seven sisters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur joy as a family was short-lived because now his sisters are back to suffering because we don\u2019t have money for their school transport. He also left a wife and two children behind and we don\u2019t have money for them\u201d, said Machana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Machana also criticised the police for failing to arrest his son\u2019s killers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe have been told that the people who did this were caught on camera but not a single person has called me and told me about an arrest. I am very upset that my child\u2019s killer roams free.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Protection racket<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ferreira\u2019s affidavit raises the spectre of another formal industry falling prey to what amounts to an organised protection racket, similar to those that have plagued the construction and mining sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ferreira said the COVID-19 lockdown and banning of interprovincial travel brought financial pressure on the whole transport sector and heightened tensions. He alleges that since the lifting of the travel ban, members of taxi associations, including the Cape Organisation of the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA), Uncedo Taxi Association, Border Alliance and Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA), have intensified their attacks and prevented passengers from using buses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPresently, throughout the Eastern Cape, the Intercape buses are harassed by these taxi associations on a daily basis. Our bus drivers are prevented from offloading or collecting passengers at the designated areas and often have to drive to the next town in order to collect passengers or offload passengers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFrom February 2022, the only manner in which to safely embark and disembark passengers in certain towns was to do so at police stations,\u201d Ferreira wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He alleged that during these incidents of violence and intimidation, Intercape officials would contact the local police to assist: \u201cOften police officers would attend at the scene and simply fail to intervene. In fact, there have been occasions when police officers witness the intimidation tactics without taking any steps to stop this unlawful conduct.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He said things escalated to a point where buses could no longer allow passengers to either embark or disembark at certain towns, forcing passengers to take a taxi to the next town in order to be able to board the bus<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAt the initial stages of conflict, the perpetrators demanded to see the operating licenses of the buses before they would allow passengers to embark or disembark the bus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen Intercape refused to participate in any agreement with the taxi associations, they started attacking the buses by stoning and shooting at them. The stoning and shooting got so bad that Intercape stopped servicing certain areas, particularly, the route between Queenstown and Umtata.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A separate affidavit by an Intercape manager describes how on 12 April 2022 members of Cape Town-based CODETA allegedly stormed Intercape\u2019s Cape Town Station office and threatened both staff and passengers, preventing them from boarding their buses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey were saying if they go inside the bus they will start a war so passengers stood for almost 2 hours. They said they have been arrested before and are not afraid of the police and blood will be shed,\u201d said the office manager, who requested anonymity for fear of intimidation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AmaBhungane understands that the SAPS recorded this alleged intimidation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A SAPS incident log book attached to Ferreira\u2019s affidavit quotes an incident report by a Lieutenant Colonel Tumene who was at the scene: \u201cTogether with Captain Gerner and CPU members attended to a complaint of long buses being blocked by taxi drivers. Allegations were that an agreement was reached in a meeting in East London that Intercape will only use two buses transporting people of which Intercape is breaching the agreement. On requesting the agreement there was none and Mr Ferreira disputed any agreement of such nature.\u201d (sic)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In his affidavit, Ferreira said the officers \u201cfailed to arrest these trespassers\u201d who were also \u201cinfringing the safety of the public\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A day after this incident, on 13 April 2022, a meeting was held in Signature Hotel in Cape Town between taxi associations and bus operators, represented through their newly formed association, the South African Long Distance Coaches Organisation (SALDCO).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ferreira said he and all the other 15 bus companies represented by SALDCO attended in hope of reaching a peaceful solution with the taxi associations, but claimed they were threatened again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe taxi association representatives told us in no uncertain terms that in the event that we did not give into their demands, they would involve every single taxi association in South Africa in their campaign against long distance bus operators,\u201d said Ferreira.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Taxi Associations have rejected claims they were behind the violence.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-16335 size-large\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/amabhungane.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/C136783-SD8109-Coach-Shot-15-02-2022-4-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16335\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Attacks on interprovincial bus operators, have intensified, with a driver recently killed and passengers injured.Bus company Intercape says taxi associations are stoking violence over routes and fare disputes. Photo supplied.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">CODETA spokesperson Andile Khanyi denied they threatened Intercape staff. He said although the taxi association holds a long-distance operating license, it services the route between Khayelitsha and Cape Town, which does not clash with that of Intercape, so there was no motive to attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Khanyi said CODETA was \u201cwell-disciplined\u201d. \u201cHere in Cape Town, nobody from CODETA went to Intercape offices and threatened anybody,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speaking on behalf of the Eastern Cape-based Border Alliance Taxi Association, Chairperson Gabs Matshala denied the alleged threats and extortion claims. He claimed to have been invited to the meeting by the bus associations on an all-expenses-paid trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ferreira told amaBhungane that all the bus companies were pressured into paying for Matshala\u2019s travel expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">SALDCO secretary, Mzukisi Dyasi, initially confirmed Ferreira\u2019s version of events, but later said that SALDCO still wanted to \u201cinvestigate the veracity of the allegations made by Gabs\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He added, \u201cDue to the sensitivity of the issues and in order to prevent any future violence we will not be commenting on the issues.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ferreira has also claimed there were attempts by senior figures from the taxi associations to extort money directly from Intercape. He says he was told &nbsp;that in order to make &#8220;the problem go away&#8221; all Intercape had to do was pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Less than two weeks after the Signature Hotel meeting Bangikhaya Machana was fatally shot in the Industria depot attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Khanyi distanced his association from the shooting and said, \u201cIf it was someone from CODETA or one of the members, why was the person not arrested?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Border Alliance\u2019s Matshala, while denying that he or any of his association\u2019s members were behind the attacks, singled out Intercape, claiming that the association had a good relationship with all bus companies but Intercape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He accused Intercape of trying to monopolise the industry by squeezing out other bus operators and the taxi industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe reality is that there are two camps, Intercape on this side alone [versus] other bus companies and taxis,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before withdrawing their comments, SALDCO disputed the claim that Intercape stood alone in its fight with the taxi associations, telling amaBhungane they believed the associations were engaging in criminal measures, including extortion, to try and dictate how the long distance bus companies should operate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">National spokesperson for SAPS, Athlander Mathe, said the police could not comment on the violence as investigations were still underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A string of incidents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A dossier compiled by Ferreira suggests that attacks on long-distance bus operators have escalated alarmingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The dossier contains pictures of buses with shattered windows and bullet holes, pictures of injured drivers and passengers, taxis blocking roads, and what appear to be taxi association members forcing their way onto buses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ferreira said contestation over routes, and in particular the issuing of long-distance licenses, triggered the now longstanding conflict, which first arose in Butterworth in the Eastern Cape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In his affidavit he says Covid-19 exacerbated the taxi violence: \u201cAs a result of the various lockdowns and lack of tourists, in order to continue their business operations, long distance bus operators have had to slowly decrease their prices. This is a natural consequence when there is a lack of demand. From 2021 when it became clear that long distance bus operators were charging similar rates as taxis, there has been a marked increase in violent incidents and in the severity of the taxi associations&#8217; demands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Minutes from a series of meetings held between taxi associations and bus operators during 2020, reveal the bullying tactics of the taxi associations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among other demands, they want buses to pay a cash levy for using particular routes, restrict the number of buses operating daily and amend bus operating licenses to reflect a timetable acceptable to the taxi associations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Ferreira, his company and drivers hold various interprovincial operating licenses issued by the relevant authorities in terms of the National Land Transport Act (NLTA). These operating licenses permit the loading and offloading of passengers at designated stops across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When taxi associations force drivers to do drop-offs at alternative stops, they are essentially forcing bus operators to break the law and contravene the regulations of the NLTA. Operators could lose their licenses as a consequence.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-16334\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/amabhungane.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/PICTURES-FOR-ATTORNEY-CONSOLIDATED-4-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16334\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Attacks on interprovincial bus operators, have intensified, with a driver recently killed and passengers injured.Bus company Intercape says taxi associations are stoking violence over routes and fare disputes. Photo supplied.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Price fixing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The act of competitors coming together and agreeing to lower or raise prices is defined as horizontal price fixing. Under South Africa\u2019s Competition Act, this is illegal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite this, it seems a meeting was held in Kokstad on 15 March 2021 between bus operators, taxi associations, officials from the Department of Transport (DOT) and the SAPS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the meeting, which Ferreira said he did not&nbsp;attend but was briefed on by other bus operators, an agreement on fares as apparently set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of Ferreira\u2019s managers insisted at a subsequent meeting on 8 April 2021 that it be placed on record that Intercape would not participate in price fixing as it was against the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Attacks escalated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ferreira\u2019s affidavit states: \u201cOn 15 April 2021, it is recorded that since no agreement was reached, buses would not be allowed to load people. On 24 May 2021 at Ladysmith, one of the Intercape buses was stoned and a rock went through the windscreen, hitting and injuring the driver in the head and shoulder&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOn 20 June 2021, at Ladysmith, passengers were prevented from disembarking and the driver was assaulted. In this case, like many of the others, the driver was fearful of his life and refused to open a case&#8230; On 24 and 28 June 2021 at Ladysmith and Cofimvaba respectively, the buses were held at gunpoint, refusing to allow passengers to embark or disembark\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOn 11 July 2021 at Cofimvaba, a passenger was shot and wounded in the stomach area. The relevant bus drivers deposed to affidavits at Cofimvaba but were not provided with copies thereof. The impression was that the Cofimvaba police officials were not interested in assisting. A case was therefore opened at Queenstown instead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Revealing messages<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a WhatsApp group seemingly created to ensure that the demands made at the March 2021 meeting were implemented, taxi association members openly discussed the fixing of minimum prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One Katlehong taxi boss wrote, \u201cIt was agreed that as of the 10th of April no bus will load less than R700 between Gauteng and Eastern Cape and R750 between Cape Town and Eastern Cape\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After seeing that some operators had not increased their prices, tempers flared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNow we have R479 [and] R499 [and] we must keep on saying the same thing every day?\u201d, wrote one member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In response, Matshala of the Border Alliance wrote, \u201cThe reason why we request that meetings be attended by owners is clear. We want the implementation of the resolutions without excuses. The meeting was on Tuesday 15 March. The implementation date was 17 March. The date today is 19 March but we are still sitting with excuses. That is why I view it as if we are in a game\u2026 If you don&#8217;t want to cooperate and work with the Taxi Industry then let&#8217;s leave it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe issue of reduced pricing is meant to suffocate the small companies. Unfortunately it also affects the taxi Industry directly. That&#8217;s where we come in as the taxi Industry\u2026 My worry is that should we fail to resolve it now, it will get out of hand and by the time we want to get back to it, we will be unable to resolve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Questioned by amaBhungane about his 2021 comments, Matshala said, \u201cThey did not give you the whole picture&#8230; My opinions were informed by what was being said in the group and what was happening\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey are taking everything. The taxi industry on the ground is suffering because there are now no passengers going to the taxi industry,\u201d Matshala added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the WhatsApp group bus operators were also told to refrain from seeking assistance from law enforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGuys please note that use of Force, Police or Courts is not a solution. Instead it makes things worse. I prefer engaging in differences\u201d, said Matshala.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Questioned by amaBhungane on this, Matshala said, \u201cIt\u2019s a deliberate ploy to just extract what is negative and yet if you can go through the whole conversations in the group, my opinion was not negative more than it was just a comment or suggestion\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1nAHiwROb8qEm6trTu1UbPnEfdAZSGi5e&#038;ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>R1000 minimum<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ferreira said that as the violence escalated he became personally involved in trying to resolve the issues with the taxi associations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In due course he attended a meeting in East London on 28 March 2022 where members of taxi associations from across South Africa attended, with the exception of KwaZulu Natal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In his affidavit he wrote, \u201cAt this meeting the taxi associations&#8217; representatives informed us\u2026 that the only way to resolve the issues between the taxis and the buses was to agree to certain terms and conditions. As a starting point, the first and most important condition was that the long-distance bus operators would agree to increase their prices with immediate effect in accordance with a pricing structure which the taxi associations provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn fact, the taxi associations requested us to increase our prices to R1000 per ticket&nbsp;immediately but were met with heavy resistance with the result that it was determined that prices should be increased incrementally until it reached R1000 per ticket by the end of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTheir demands which they implement by way of extortion now forces long distance bus operators to either take part in their criminal and unlawful activities or to risk the lives of their employees, passengers and other members of the public,\u201d said Ferreira<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mtshala of Border Alliance told amaBhungane: \u201cIt was not price fixing. We\u2019ve been calling the competition commission, we\u2019ve been asking the Department of Transport to intervene because\u2026 there is no way you can charge R150 from Cape Town to Joburg. It means that you are killing the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-16355\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/amabhungane.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/C126272-SD616-Coach-Pax-Shot-21-07-2021-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16355\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Attacks on interprovincial bus operators, have intensified, with a driver recently killed and passengers injured.Bus company Intercape says taxi associations are stoking violence over routes and fare disputes. Photo supplied.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Collateral Damage<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ferreira\u2019s affidavit alleges that taxi associations are bullying other companies perceived to be working with the bus industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/22056104-announcement-store-intimidation-13-july-21?responsive=1&amp;title=1\">In a letter dated 13 July 2021<\/a> and addressed to bus operators and managers, Bryan Rufener, travel manager of bookings company Computicket, wrote: \u201cDue to the continued unrest and protest action in various parts of the country, the staff and customer safety is our highest priority. It\u2019s unfortunate but where we deem it fit we will refrain from the sales of tickets at various locations until such time as normality is restored.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AmaBhungane has also seen a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/22056112-uncedo-service-taxi-association-march-2021?responsive=1&amp;title=1\">letter with a Mount Frere Taxi Association<\/a> letterhead addressed to the managers of retailers Shoprite, Ackermans, and OK Furniture, and the Mpiti Filling Station, stating: \u201cAs&nbsp; the above mentioned association we have a request for Shoprite, Ackermans, and OK Furniture, and the Mpiti Filling Station to no longer sell tickets that are below R500. We have an agreement with bus operators for you to cease the sale of tickets below R500\u201d. (sic)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The association\u2019s chairperson, V.N Honono, confirmed that they wrote the letter but said they did so because they had agreed in principle with bus owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/22056110-tsomo-taxi-association?responsive=1&amp;title=1\">Another letter<\/a>, dated 15 February 2022 and with a Tsomo Taxi Association letterhead reads, \u201cThe above association humbly requests Shoprite to stop selling bus tickets. We hope this request will be granted as of today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spokesperson for Tsomo Taxi Association Mci Mjacu confirmed that the association authored the letter but said they were driven by desperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur biggest gripe is that the bus operators are not from this area, we are, they come here and take our passengers and we are left with scrap. We approached them because we wanted them as a fellow local business to stand with us since we are the ones who ferry customers to them,\u201d said Mjacu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet another letter suggests that some are giving in to alleged pressure from taxi associations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dated 1 March 2022 with a Kei Bridge Shell letterhead and directed to Intercape, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/22056106-letter-from-shell-kei-bridge?responsive=1&amp;title=1\">the letter states:<\/a> \u201cDue to intimidation done by taxi drivers today at Kei Bridge regarding Intercape bus, I would like to stop the bus from coming to stop here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-16347\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/amabhungane.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/C136897-SD8108-Coach-Stoned-16-02-2022-2.jpg-768x1024.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16347\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Attacks on interprovincial bus operators, have intensified, with a driver recently killed and passengers injured.Bus company Intercape says taxi associations are stoking violence over routes and fare disputes. Photo supplied.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Government inaction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bus companies have criticised SAPS and the government for failing to do enough to halt the violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After Machana was shot on 25 April, Intercape\u2019s lawyers wrote to the Western Cape MEC for Roads, Transport and Safety calling for urgent intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Department told amaBhungane the matter was brought to the attention of the relevant authorities and local police stations recently established an extortion response team which would be deployed for rapid response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe relevant officials coordinated with traffic and enforcement authorities to monitor ranks and key routes with the aim of ensuring that buses have a safe passage,\u201d the department said in a written response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It added that the issue had been raised at the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure and escalated to the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints) because of the nature and extent of the crimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It said the premier had written to the president to request an urgent meeting and coordinate intervention at national level \u201cto combat extortion and racketeering in the public transport sector\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ferreira has pleaded with SAPS to take urgent action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is a national crisis that needs to be addressed urgently\u2026 Should SAPS fail to combat these unlawful activities which are escalating in severity at incredible speed, it is inevitable that more employees, passengers and innocent bystanders will become further victims of fatal incidents of taxi violence,\u201d read his affidavit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ferreira told amaBhungane that he found it problematic that SAPS seemed reluctant to take action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt surprises me why the police would encourage discussions\u2026 instead of taking a stance and making arrests. They keep telling us to reach agreements but why must we agree to criminality?\u201d said Ferreira.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some respite was provided after Ferreira\u2019s affidavit was delivered to the NatJoints chair and police Tactical Response Teams started escorting buses in the Eastern Cape on 9 May 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, that temporary measure came to an end on 3 June and the violence took off again. A bus travelling from Mthatha to Pretoria was shot at.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two days later, bus travelling from Pretoria to Umthatha was stoned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Intercape told amaBhungane, \u201cAfter the rock hit the window and narrowly missed the driver the coach went off the road and with the grace of God he managed to get the bus back on the road. Fourteen passengers sustained minor injuries.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Sebe Buthelezi is an Open Society Foundation Fellow at Wits University.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As bloodshed and intimidation mar the long distance transport sector, bus company Intercape has pointed fingers at taxi bosses, accusing them of sustained mafia-style tactics and attempts at price-fixing \u2014 while the authorities, Intercape alleges, did little or nothing. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":17014,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[1000,1001,1002,1003,1004,1005,1006,1007,1008,1009,1010,1011,1012,158,1013,1014,1015],"class_list":["post-16317","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories","tag-bangikhaya-machana","tag-border-alliance","tag-butterworth","tag-cape-amalgamated-taxi-association","tag-cape-town","tag-cata","tag-codeta","tag-democratic-taxi-association","tag-idutywa","tag-intercape","tag-intercape-ceo","tag-need-taxi-association","tag-nkululo-machana","tag-saps","tag-south-african-police-service","tag-taxi-associations","tag-uncedo-taxi-association"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/further.co.za\/amabwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16317","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/further.co.za\/amabwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/further.co.za\/amabwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/further.co.za\/amabwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/further.co.za\/amabwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16317"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/further.co.za\/amabwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16317\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30069,"href":"https:\/\/further.co.za\/amabwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16317\/revisions\/30069"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/further.co.za\/amabwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17014"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/further.co.za\/amabwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/further.co.za\/amabwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/further.co.za\/amabwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}