“One of the things we requested in one of the engagements with law enforcement, there is a need for lifestyle audits of taxi operators' leadership, the owners. These are people who move around with around 13 security guards - more than what the president has,” she told the television news channel.

“When you meet with them, there will be guns everywhere, people, bodyguards and everything else.”

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She said genuine taxi business owners are complaining that they are being made to pay an arm and a leg to fund the lavish lifestyles of some taxi operators.

According to Diale-Tlabela, what is also astounding is that with the rampant murders, where commuters are often caught up in the crossfire, no one is being arrested for the brutal murders.

“Part of the people we are going to be engaging is law enforcement, for them to come and explain to us … how is it possible that just from January to date, 59 people have died and no one is arrested,” she said.

The MEC added that the provincial authorities are considering shutting down taxi ranks across Gauteng to rein in the taxi industry.

However, Diale-Tlabela cautioned that closing the taxi ranks across the province was not the permanent solution because at some point, the taxi ranks will have to be re-opened.

In another incident in March, IOL also reported that three people were shot and killed at the Zonkizizwe taxi rank in Vosloorus in eastern Johannesburg.

Nevhuhulwi said police reports suggested that unknown suspects driving a white BMW randomly shot at bystanders at the rank.

“The deceased were identified as taxi drivers,” she said at the time.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

IOL