KZN Police Accused of Favoring KwaDukuza in Taxi Route Conflict

KwaZulu-Natal police face accusations of favoring the KwaDukuza Taxi Association in its conflict with the KwaMaphumulo Taxi Association. These claims came from testimony by KwaMaphumulo chairperson Siphimandla Mhlongo at the Nkabinde Enquiry. The enquiry probes Advocate Andrew Chauke’s fitness as Director of Public Prosecutions for South Gauteng. Taxi operators like Mhlongo feel threatened. This matters now amid an ongoing taxi war and recent police actions.

Siphimandla Mhlongo testified about his 2009 detention by the KZN Cato Manor Organised Crime Unit. He described recent impoundments of KwaMaphumulo taxis by the Department of Transport. These taxis had valid operating licenses. On the same day, police from the NIU detained KwaMaphumulo members without charges.

Mhlongo called it a coordinated effort. He said KwaDukuza took over the route while KwaMaphumulo vehicles were stopped.

“For me, that means there was a really coordinated move in order to threaten us to surrender this route, and the police were used in order to assist KwaDukuza to achieve what they wanted to advance,” Mhlongo told the commission.

The Nkabinde Enquiry examines Chauke’s role. Chauke once prosecuted Cato Manor cases. Those cases were later dismissed. Mhlongo fears law enforcement might repeat past actions.

Reports link the taxi war to unresolved killings between the associations. Testimony has pointed to plots against taxi bosses. Claims of police brutality by Cato Manor cops have also surfaced.

There is a unit that is used called Shanela KZN. Law enforcement from the Department of Transport started impounding our taxis, even the ones that had operating licenses.

These accusations suggest bias by police and transport officials. Mhlongo sees it as help for KwaDukuza to seize routes. Such claims could erode trust in authorities. They remain his testimony, not proven facts.

Police and the Transport Department declined comment. The matter is before the commission.

Official response: Both agencies said they would not comment.

The Nkabinde Enquiry continues. More testimony may come. The taxi war issues stay unresolved. No immediate actions from authorities have been reported.