Eastern Cape Transport MEC, Xolile Nqatha has called on law enforcement agencies to act against those who continue to impersonate traffic officers, holding illegal roadblocks that are characterised by extortion in some instances.
MEC Nqatha’s call comes as illegal roadblocks, allegedly manned by taxi operators continue to be a headache for a lot of long-distance drivers across the province. MEC Nqatha has warned that those who continue to be involved in these illegal roadblocks, will face the might of the law.
“This something that I had spoken strongly against since taking office, that we cannot allow a situation where we have an illegal law enforcement structure that runs parallel to what our government seeks to achieve, tormenting and extorting from our people. The public outcry about these illegal roadblocks has been heard, and the additional crime of extortion that is often at the core of these, has been taken in. It is for that reason that I call on all state law enforcement agencies to take tough action against these illegal roadblocks on the province’s roads,” said MEC Nqatha.
MEC Nqatha has also challenged leaders in the taxi industry to also take a stand against these illegal acts that are said to be carried out by their members. We urge them to also take a stand against these actions by a few individuals whose actions have somewhat dented the image of the taxi industry.
