He was talking about the members of the Pan African Transport Corporation who operate at the Setsing taxi rank, near the Excel garage in Phuthaditjhaba, Qwaqwa.

The corporation's members operate without permits. At some point, they found themselves battling over routes with the members of the Qwaqwa United Taxi Association (Qwauta) who operate lawfully.

Bulwane said they will be arrested and their vehicles will be impounded. "We urged them not to operate until early next year after issuing out their permits," says the MEC.

About 303 permits are anticipated to be issued to the members of the transport corporation as of January 2022. 

However, leader Tshepo Rasenekane told OFM News that they will keep doing what they always do until they have their permits in their hands. "We will operate when there are no traffic officials that arrest us. We will do so only when the traffic officers are not on duty, " he said.

Meanwhile, seven people have died and another seven sustained minor injuries after a collision involving a Toyota Quantum taxi and Mercedes high mobility van on the R707 road near Marquard in the Free State a day before Christmas. 

Six adults (including the taxi driver) and a toddler were burned beyond recognition whilst other passengers managed to get out of the burning taxi. 

Another person was seriously injured and taken to a hospital in Senekal. Passengers with minor injuries were treated and discharged.

A case of culpable homicide was opened.

OFM News/Tumelo Khotha