Gauteng MEC for transport Ismail Vadi has sent out a stern warning to Uber on Wednesday, saying unregistered taxis would be impounded.
“Uber vehicles will have to register with us,” said Vadi. “If they are unregistered, they are operating illegally and unlawfully and we will impound those vehicles.”
His statements follow recent attacks on drivers associated with the company, as metered taxi drivers oppose their operations.
Commuters and drivers have allegedly been assaulted in the process. In a bid to restore order and quell the current situation, Vadi said a meeting was planned.
“We are meeting with the Gauteng metered taxi council and the representatives of Uber and we are hoping we can come to some kind of agreement. The outcomes of the meeting will be communicated later today (Wednesday) or tomorrow (Thursday) morning,” said Vadi.
Gauteng premier David Makhura said government would adopt the same stance as was in the minibus taxi industry in Mamelodi.
He said commuters will not be held to ransom and forced to use a mode of transport they are not comfortable with.
“Like we are doing with the taxi industry, if they are operating illegally, police will impound their taxis. It is not in their best interests if there is war amongst themselves,” said Makhura.
The pair called for an end to intimidation and violence related to taxis in the province.
“We condemn any act of violence, it is totally unnecessary. This kind of intimidation, lawlessness, (and) violence on the part of people within the taxi industry is totally unacceptable,” he said.
Vadi added that if the violence that exists within the industry continues, government would be forced to intensify police operations to root out the problems. — News24
