EASTERN CAPE - POLICE CONDEMN ACTIONS OF TAXI OPERATORS AND ARREST 18 PEOPLE ACROSS THE PROVINCE

South African Police Service strongly condemns the actions of the taxi owners/drivers who are protesting and closing off roads across the Eastern Cape Province. We want to reiterate the point that the taxi owner/drivers have a Constitutional rights to protest. However, those very rights do not imply that people must infringe on the right of movement of other people, destroy property, attack police, be violent and intimidate others.

This follows after several roads across the Province have been blockaded by taxis and burning tyres and rubble form the early hours of this morning.

Nine (9) suspects aged between 30 and 45 have been arrested in East London, three (3) suspects aged between 31 and 56 have been arrested in Zwelitsha, five (5) suspects aged between 25 and 30 have been arrested in Bhisho and a 40-year-old suspect has been arrested in King William’s Town.  Four (4) vehicles have been impounded in East London.

All the suspects will appear in various courts soon on charges of arson, public violence and malicious damage to property.

A 45-year-old suspect has also been arrested after he was positively identified by the victim who was robbed of her handbag at the bus next to Quzini Location, near King William’s Town. The suspect will appear in court soon on a charge of robbery.  

Acting Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Major General Zamuthango Mki condemned the actions of the taxi owners/drivers. “SAPS members will continue to monitor the situation at all the areas where there are protests. In the same light we call on all stakeholders to abide by the law and use all the relevant channels to have their grievances addressed”.