THE signing of the ceasefire/peace agreement by taxi bosses marks the end of taxi feuds in most parts of the province.
The agreement was signed on Monday, 10 April in Ladysmith, KZN Midlands which is one of the hot spots for brutal taxi violence in the province.
For the past 10 years, many people have lost their lives during the battle of routes between the Klipriver Taxi Association and Sizwe Taxi Association which operate in Ladysmith.
The bloodshed was so bad that the local government decided to intervene. In 2018, then transport MEC Mxolisi Kaunda suspended the operations of the two associations after their fight claimed 61 lives from 2014 to 2018.
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But the associations were able to find an amicable solution to their matter after the intervention. The ban was lifted, but the killing of bosses didn’t stop.
But on Monday, 10 April both associations were present during the peace signing agreement, and they assured commuters they had long buried their differences.
They claimed the agreement was an official sign that they had sorted out their differences and wanted commuters to feel free to go back to taxis.
Sizwe Taxi Association chairman, Mseshi Mpungose said: "Their feud with the other association was sorted out a few months back and the signing of the agreement was the official sign that they have sorted their differences. The war will never see the light of the day between them."
Klipriver Taxi Association chairman, Bhekuyise Masondo said he was off sick and was yet to be briefed about the proceedings of the meetings.
The signing of agreement took place in front of Police Minister Bheki Cele, who commended the industry for taking this big step to bring peace in the industry.
Cele said: "We believe that after these agreements, this will spread to other places which we believe are sources of the violence in the taxi industry."
