Protester’s death probed
|Published
Firefighters were clearing the dirt left blocking the street in Ntshawini. Picture: Doctor Ngcobo Firefighters were clearing the dirt left blocking the street in Ntshawini. Picture: Doctor Ngcobo
As municipal workers began a massive clean-up operation on the R102 between Umhlali and Shakaskraal on Wednesday, the Independent Complaints Directorate was starting an investigation into the death of a man, allegedly at the hands of police, during violent protests against taxi fare hikes in the KwaDukuza area on Tuesday.
Nhlanhla Mchunu, 21, was the second of two people killed in the protests, which started on Monday. Ntombikayise Mabika, 24, was shot and killed, allegedly by a security guard hired by taxi operators, on Monday. The deaths have deepened tensions between the taxi owners, police and locals.
Locals are protesting against taxi fare increases of up to R2.50 a trip.
On Wednesday, an urgent meeting attended by national police commissioner General Bheki Cele – called to put an end to the escalating violence that has seen about 207 people being arrested – failed to resolve the situation, with taxi associations refusing to back down from the fare hikes.
Protesters had blockaded the R102, the main road connecting several towns in the KwaDukuza area, by burning tyres and other objects on the road. Residents of some towns feared leaving their houses in case they were attacked by protesters, who wanted commerce in the region to be brought to a halt.
In areas patrolled by police, people walked several kilometres to work in the KwaDukuza CBD, as there was no transport available on the main road. A clean-up by the fire department, municipal workers and police started in the morning and was still under way in the afternoon.
Cele said two people, Mchunu and Mabika, were confirmed dead. He said the ICD would investigate Mchunu’s death because it was alleged that police were involved. However, Cele refused to believe that officers could be responsible for his death.
“The police have confirmed what we know, and that is that they do not use live ammunition, especially the kind of cartridges that were shown on the news.”
KwaZulu-Natal Transport Alliance spokesman Bafana Mhlongo defended the Kwadukuza and Dolphin Coast taxi associations’ decision to increase fares by R2.50, saying that fares in the area had not increased in five years.
He said other associations had also increased fares because of rising input costs, including petrol price hikes and vehicle maintenance costs.
“When we increase fares, it’s by between 10 percent and 30 percent. We notify the public well in advance… so that people with concerns can come forward and speak to us.
“In a business, you don’t negotiate price hikes. We are overburdened by high operational costs, which are higher than our profits,” he said.
Concerned Commuters Organisation of SA spokesman Bongani Ntuli blamed the government for not providing proper public transport.
He said the KwaDukuza residents were reacting violently “because they have been pushed against a wall”.
He said the R2.50 increase was exorbitant.
The organisation was engaging with Transport Minister S’bu Ndebele on public transport issues.
“For one, toll fees are high and this impacts on the poor. Workers spend a huge percentage of their salaries on transport. The government must provide quality yet affordable public transport on top of privately owned transport,” said Ntuli. – The Mercury