Northern KZN taxi route tensions: MEC Duma intervenes to prevent violence
KZN Transport MEC Siboniso Duma has convened an urgent meeting to address rising tensions between two taxi associations north of Durban.
Image: Supplied
Fears of renewed violence have emerged in iLembe following the re-emergence of a long-standing taxi route dispute between the KwaMaphumulo Taxi Association and the KwaDukuza Taxi Association, north of Durban, a conflict that previously claimed more than 30 lives over four decades.
An urgent meeting was convened on Friday at Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House to address rising tensions between the two associations.
Announcing the intervention, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma said: “We have convened an urgent meeting to resolve a brewing conflict over taxi routes involving the KwaMaphumulo Taxi Association and KwaDukuza Taxi Association.”
The dispute is not new. “For over 40 years, the two taxi associations fought over taxi routes, resulting in the deaths of more than 30 people,” Duma said, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the risks posed by the latest flare-up.
Despite the troubled history, recent years had seen relative calm in the region. “We pay tribute to the leadership of the two associations that championed peace and stability in iLembe over the past five to ten years,” the MEC noted.
He confirmed, however, that “there has been a re-emergence of conflict involving the two associations”.
Government said the intervention is aimed at protecting commuters and restoring stability. “We are acting in the interest of passengers, the taxi industry, and the people of KwaZulu-Natal in general,” Duma said.
The high-level meeting brought together key stakeholders, including iLembe District mayor Thobani Shandu, KwaMaphumulo mayor Zibuyisile Khuzwayo-Dlamini, representatives of KwaDukuza Local Municipality, SAPS Major General Phumelele Makoba, SANTACO chairperson Boy Zondi, the Department’s Public Regulatory Entity, and the iLembe Regional Taxi Association.
As deliberations got underway, government expressed optimism about the tone of the engagement.
“As we start our meeting, there is a prevailing spirit of cooperation,” Duma said, adding, “We are very positive that this spirit will guide this meeting and usher in a new era of partnership and prosperity in the public transport industry.”
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