Thread by @JacaNews

#TaxiViolence The Gauteng Provincial Government is now releasing to the public the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into Taxi Violence

#TaxiViolence MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure Jacob Mamabolo is releasing the report. He says they are pleased that this commission has concluded its work.

#TaxiViolence Mamabolo says the sector is riddled with a lot of violence. He describes the taxi sector as one that has the highest killings

#TaxiViolence Mamabolo says one of the key findings of the commission is that taxi industry is controlled by associations who have become a law unto themsleves and make decisions on who joins.

#TaxiViolence Mamabolo says taxi owners and drivers operate at the behest of the associations regardless of legal requirements.

#TaxiViolence Mamabolo says the commission also found that applications are not vetted when applying for operating licences.

#TaxiViolence The commission has also found that powerful taxi owners wield their power in the industry which causes conflict and tensions.

#TaxiViolence Mamabolo says while some cases have been reported and investigated in some instances prosecutors have been
forced either not to prosecute or withdraw the charges due to a
lack of cooperation by the Investigating Officers.

#TaxiViolence Mamabolo: There have been cases where the accused were
convicted and sentenced to varying periods from life
imprisonment to years in jail. There have also been acquittals
associated with a reluctance by the witnesses to testify for fear
of being targeted.

#TaxiViolence The commission has also found that law enforcement officers are involved in the taxi industry and operate their own taxis which is illegal.