The taxi association’s president Phillip Taaibosch spoke during a 'Defend Our Democracy' briefing on the violence and looting in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. The briefing was held on Thursday. 

Taaibosch said instead of joining the destruction of property, taxi operators defended their communities and infrastructure.

"Thank you for having thought of saving the country instead of finding yourself in this problem.

"Normally, the taxi industry is regarded as a law unto itself, and I think some of the organisers felt that they could be getting some support from the taxi industry. Unfortunately (for them), the industry is busy growing and busy understanding itself." 

Various taxi associations have been parking their taxis at shopping centres and malls to prevent it from being looted.  

"The taxi operators in the Eastern Cape went to an extent of ensuring that they have blocked all the places where they are operating and to make sure that more than 15 million people are not going to lose their work. 

"As the taxi industry, we have taken a stand that we are not going to watch but we are going to take action in ensuring that we protect the people who are giving us bread," said Taaibosch. 

"The employers of the taxi industry and the commuters are protected and hence our participation."  

Jacaranda News