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Abantu Integrity Movement (AIM) Statement on the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Taxi Dispute

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The Abantu Integrity Movement (AIM) recognise the urgent efforts of the key stakeholders and leadership of the city to mediate and facilitate a viable solution to the conflict between taxi drivers and taxi owners that has been taken to the streets of the Metro.

AIM recognise that the conflict occurs within a complex context and long-standing history of relations and events affecting the taxi industry and more recently the COVID-19 containment measures.

AIM recognise that the taxi industry provides a vital and essential transportation service to the residents and businesses of Nelson Mandela Bay.

AIM recognise that the conflict has the potential of escalating into prolonged violent confrontation that will affect communities and businesses and lead to the loss of lives and livelihoods.

In that regard our positions is as follows:

  1. Everyone has a Constitutional right to protest and strike peacefully.
  2. Exercise of that right should not infringe upon the rights of other citizens, especially those who are not party to the dispute at hand.
  3. Destruction of public infrastructure is senseless, self-defeating and cannot be tolerated.
  4. It is the role of the South African Police Services (SAPS), specifically Public Order Policing (POPS), to maintain peace and restore the rule of law. They must deal swiftly with acts of lawlessness and protect innocent residents.
  5. We hear the concerns of the taxi industry, both drivers and owners, but believe the legitimacy of their demands is undermined by acts of ill-disciplined elements within that seek to orchestrate violence and negotiate via intimidation.
  6. We call for the immediate cessation of violence and the protection of workers of this metro to be allowed to earn their living whilst the relevant stakeholders find lasting solutions.
  7. We call upon national and local government to own up to the failure of delivering a safe, reliable, efficient and effective transport strategy and long-term infrastructure and development plan. We need a long-term systemic solution that acknowledges the vital role of the taxi industry and secures resident’s safety and reliability of transportation.
  8. Calling in the Army must always be a measure of last resort. To have the Army pointing its rifles at civilians can only occur when there is a total breakdown of law and order, and the security of the State is under threat. We are setting a fatal precedent if we fall into the practice of having the Army on standby to deal with criminal matters.
  9. Finally, SAPS must account for why they were unable to anticipate the violence, respond timeously, and restore peace to our streets to ensure the safety of our residents. We note with concern that while Minister Bheki Cele was very active during lockdown patrolling beaches, we have not seen nor heard from him on the Metro’s “lockdown” by violent elements within the taxi industry

Issued by AIM – 28 May 2021

Ward 7 Independent Councillor

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.