46 Durban taxi drivers in court

2012-07-20 17:09

Durban - Forty-six taxi drivers charged with public violence during a strike appeared in the Durban Magistrate's Court on Friday.

The charges against 16 of them were withdrawn due to insufficient evidence. The matter against the other 30 was postponed to August 24.

Only 27 of the drivers were in court. Warrants of arrest were issued for the three, part of the group of 30, who were absent.

In May about 60 people were arrested during a protest by taxi drivers which turned violent, against what they claimed was unfair treatment by the eThekwini metro police.

Forty-six of them appeared in the Durban Magistrate's Court and were released on bail of R1 500 each. The others were released without being charged.

The drivers want traffic tickets be issued in isiZulu, and the cancellation of all warrants of arrest. They further seek an end to traffic enforcement during morning and afternoon peak traffic.

In addition, they do not want to get tickets from Indian or white traffic officers, claiming that some taxi drivers do not speak English. Taxi drivers must also be allowed to pick up and drop off passengers anywhere, they insist.

- SAPA