The two Limpopo taxi associations disputing over the lucrative routes between the townships of Moletjie and Mahwelereng were ordered to stop inconveniencing passengers by the provincial MEC for roads and transport.
This comes after the Moletjie and Seshego taxi associations fought daylight running battles in the Polokwane city centre over the routes to town between Moletjie and Seshego townships. In the ensuing skirmishes, three taxis belonging to both associations were set on fire on the day.
On Monday, 18 January MEC for roads and transport Mavhungu Lerule Ramakhanya told SABC radio in Limpopo that her office expected the two associations to resolve their disputes through negotiations because failure to do that was counterproductive to their business.
“We expect taxis to go back to work and have told the leadership that we expect them and we agreed that they should resolve their differences using their associations,” said Ramakhanya.
In one incident a taxi belonging to Moletjie Taxi Association was followed by people in a private car and the driver allegedly attacked. This after the taxi had stopped to pick a passenger in Seshego going to Polokwane. Taxis from Moletjie are barred from picking up passengers in Seshego.
By Tuesday, 19 January the situation in Polokwane between these associations had slowly returned to normal.
