MEC Shongwe assists police seize a taxi from driver without license

Media Statement
26 November 2010

Conducting a road block at Mkhuhlu shortly after the launch of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, Mpumalanga Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe assisted the police seize a unsafe taxi whose driver also had no license.

The instructed the police to impound the vehicle and asked the passengers who were mainly women to use another taxi as the one they were travelling in had un-functioning brakes. The taxi was transporting people to Hazyview from Mkhuhlu when it was stopped at the road block.

“This is not right, this driver has no driving license and the brakes of his taxi are not working. He is putting the lives of 15 people in danger and this could affect their families.

“We are happy that the police were quick to detect this because anything could have happened and many people would have been affected. These road blocks will assist greatly in reducing road accidents,” said irate MEC Shongwe.

While on the roadblock, the police managed to assist a Pinetown driver who was driving a vehicle that was previously reported stolen to go to the police station to effect on the computer that it had been recovered.

Another driver who only had a Learner’s License was caught carrying passengers. The MEC stressed that government wanted to ensure that this year’s festive season was a safe one.

“We want people to enjoy themselves and not to worry about criminals because they do not have a place in our province,” said MEC Shongwe.

This morning MEC Shongwe led another police operation in Emzinoni and also the raiding of taverns and other liquor trading outlets.

As part of strengthening capacity at stations, Shongwe has also handed over 49 new vehicles to various police stations in the province at a function held in Middleburg today.

Issued by Mpumalanga Department of Safety, Security and Liaison

Enquiries: Joseph Mabuza
Contacts: 013 766 4055/ 082 678 1450