RUSTENBURG – The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West has welcomed the suspension of a Rustenburg taxi driver following an assault on two matric learners over the weekend, describing it as a turning point for accountability and safer public transport.
The 40-year-old driver was suspended this week for improper conduct, including the use of vulgar and derogatory language and the forcible removal of passengers from his vehicle.
The incident occurred on Saturday when the driver allegedly assaulted two matric learners from HF Tlou Secondary School during a dispute over unpaid taxi fares. The pupils were travelling from Rustenburg Taxi Rank to Tlhabane to attend weekend classes at Meridian College when the altercation took place.
The suspension comes just three weeks after a tragic accident in Vanderbijlpark claimed the lives of 14 learners, leading to murder charges against a taxi driver who caused the collision. The latest incident has again brought the plight of learner transport and passenger safety into sharp focus.
SANTACO and the Taxi Negotiating Forum (TNF) 9 Company Board of Directors on the Rustenburg Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) swiftly investigated the matter, including reviewing a video recording of the incident.
Pastor Lesiba Kgwele, convenor of the MRM Provincial Committee, commended the taxi industry’s response.
“We are encouraged by the effective complaints mechanism, verification processes, objective gathering of evidence that was followed during the disciplinary proceedings that unfolded suggesting that professionalism and the commitment to uphold courteous as well as highest standard of customer service is being taken serious by the organised taxi industry,” said Kgwele.
He said further steps that might be taken following the comprehensive probe would send an unequivocal message supporting zero tolerance to violence and abuse of passengers by taxi drivers.
“This will rid the taxi industry of negative perception of rude and unprofessional conduct that created the impression that unruly drivers are a law unto themselves,” said Kgwele.
He added that whilst the shift towards ethical conduct by industry leadership was appreciated, passengers must also conduct themselves appropriately, cooperate with drivers and respect fellow commuters.
The traumatised learners have since laid charges of assault against the driver with the police. Meridian College provided support to the affected pupils.
Kgwele said the second phase of the probe, which includes interviews with the affected learners and their parents, would bring the matter to its logical conclusion.
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