Police minister Bheki Cele has appointed two high-ranking officials to form a team to investigate taxi violence in Port St Johns amid allegations that government officials and police were themselves involved in the taxi industry, while Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane has appealed to the president to deploy the military.
Taxi violence is again rearing its ugly head in the Eastern Cape with at least three taxi bosses and drivers killed and one hospitalised in a critical condition on Wednesday on the R61 near Port St Johns.The year 2023 was one of the bloodiest, with more than 20 taxi bosses killed in a few months in Ngqamakhwe, Butterworth, Centane, Willowvale, Dutywa, Elliotdale, and Mthatha since July 18.
“I want that smart city.”That was premier Oscar Mabuyane’s message to finance minister Enoch Godongwana when he addressed senior provincial and national government officials at the Eastern Cape government’s year-end function hosted at the East London ICC on Wednesday night.
Eastern Cape coastal municipalities are gearing up for the festive season ahead of an expected huge influx of holidaymakers. Buffalo City Metro spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said the metro expected more than two million visitors and the city’s safety and security plans were already kicking in. “BCM puts plans in place before the festive season to prepare and manage the influx of public to the various beaches, amenities and events,” he said.
Crucial infrastructure designed to supply clean drinking water to communities in some parts of the OR Tambo district is being targeted by vandals and thieves and in the process bleeding the district municipality’s coffers dry in repairs and replacements.