A clash between two taxi associations at Westgate Shopping Centre on Sunday afternoon 8 September led to more than five vehicles being damaged, two arrests being made and one person sustaining minor injuries.
The Record was informed that the local taxi association, Dorljota got upset after they spotted another taxi from the greater Krugersdorp Taxi Association transporting passengers.
The taxi belonging to Dorljota gave chase and eventually blocking the taxi from Krugersdorp.
“Six men got out and attacked the driver,” a source of Fidelity Security said.
The driver got a fright and crashed into at least five other vehicles and in the process hit a woman who is believed to be a car washer.
Allegedly two men were arrested.
Nick Scott, marketing manager of Westgate said, “We will investigate further and go through the video footage to see what actually happened before we respond with a full press release”.
Public Relations Officer of Dorljota, Zebalon Simelane denied that his drivers attempted to hijack the other taxi, describing the incident as a misunderstanding between the two taxi associations. He explains that taxi violence is ongoing and that it has started a long time ago.
“They were the ones who chased us from Extension 12 Clinic Rank that belonged to us for the past 20 years. There had been incidents where our drivers and their taxis were shot at, and assaulted.
“We have asked the police to intervene and attend meetings between the two associations to try and find a solution, but this has not happened yet. We are looking forward to solve this.”
The Record also can confirm that the taxi rank at Westgate has been closed temporarily.
