Is SAPS in the taxi business? Ian Cameron wants answers
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) says it will not interfere with how South Africans choose to travel
Image: File
Allegations that members of Saps in the Western Cape may be involved in the taxi industry have sparked concern about potential conflicts of interest. Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police in the National Assembly, Ian Cameron, is calling for clarity from SAPS leadership.
Cameron said information brought to his attention suggests that some SAPS members stationed at different units in the province are allegedly involved in taxi operations.
According to Cameron, the cases include a sergeant stationed in Calitzdorp who is alleged to own seven taxis and six trailers. Another is a sergeant attached to the Taxi Violence Unit allegedly linked to five taxis, and a constable stationed at Samora Machel Detectives who is allegedly connected to eight taxis.
He said the claims raise serious concerns about policing integrity in a sector where officers are frequently required to intervene in disputes, violence and organised crime.
“The regulatory framework governing SAPS members is explicit,” Cameron said, referring to legislation and internal police integrity rules that prohibit officers from participating in the taxi industry.
Under these rules, police officials may not operate minibus taxis or hold financial interests in such businesses, and are also barred from engaging in remunerative work outside the service without proper authorisation.
Taxi operators affiliated with the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association march to Nyanga police station, as Ian Cameron raises concerns about alleged SAPS links to the taxi industry.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Media
“If a police official is found to have a vested interest in the taxi industry, internal disciplinary investigations must follow and dismissal may result,” Cameron said.
The allegations surfaced days after taxi operators affiliated with the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association marched to Nyanga police station demanding stronger action against violence affecting the industry.
Taxi operators gathered outside the station on Monday morning and handed over a memorandum outlining their concerns about attacks on drivers, marshals and vehicles.
Ian Cameron raises concerns over SAPS members' alleged involvement in the taxi industry.
Image: IOL
CATA spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi said the protest was aimed at highlighting the safety challenges facing operators and commuters.
“The burning of our vehicles and killings of our marshals, drivers and passengers need to stop,” Sityebi said.
He said taxi operators were frustrated by what they believed was a lack of progress in investigations into attacks reported to police.
The protest followed a series of violent incidents in the sector, including the recent burning of nine taxis at the Nyanga taxi rank.
Western Cape Ministry of Police Oversight and Community Safety spokesperson Kurt Nefdt said the issue of SAPS members allegedly being involved in the taxi industry had previously been raised with provincial police leadership.
“The issue of members of the South African Police Service being involved in the taxi industry is not new and has previously been raised with SAPS provincial management in the Western Cape,” Nefdt said.
He said the matter was formally raised with SAPS leadership after the death of a police officer in Lwandle in September last year who was also reported to have been a taxi owner.
“At the time, SAPS management confirmed that SAPS members are not permitted to be involved in the ownership or operation of minibus taxis, in line with applicable regulations and SAPS policies governing conflicts of interest and remunerative work outside the service,” Nefdt said.
Nefdt said specific allegations about such conduct by SAPS members had not been formally lodged with the provincial ministry.
SAPS was approached for comment regarding the allegations.