Minibus taxi blockade shuts down East London

East London came to a standstill on Wednesday following a blockade by Mdantsane East London Taxi Association (MELTA) taxi drivers as they shut down the city protesting what they called the persecution by law enforcement of their chairperson, Simphiwe Gabs Mtshala.

Shops were closed, and patrons using public transport were prevented from going to work and school despite the provincial transport department warning against the “unlawful” shutdown.

Mtshala alleges that he is being unjustly targeted and attempts to arrest him are politically motivated. The East London taxi boss said this outside the East London Magistrates Court after he handed himself in at the police station for what would have been his sixth arrest in four months.

Last week, he appeared in the same court facing charges of taxi-related murders, attempted murders, illegal possession of firearms and extortion following his arrest by the National Intervention Unit (NIU). However, his charges were withdrawn before he could stand in the dock.

Mtshala, who is also the deputy chairperson of the now disbanded Santaco executive leadership in the province, denied his involvement in the crimes and said the charges were just a political ploy. “I believe I am being targeted. I believe this is politically motivated, I have been arrested before, charges were withdrawn and I was cleared and there is nothing new at the moment,” he said. Mtshala believes that he is being targeted because his businesses in Buffalo City are tampering with the interests of a ‘”‘big person at the national level’.

Mtshala, who also heads Buffalo City Metro Business Association (BCMBA), accused politicians of trying to silence him speaking against corruption. “If you check, Buffalo City is the only metro at the moment with no GNU and this is where everyone is running and benefiting. The worry and what I am standing for is that Buffalo City is the core and hub of the economy of the Eastern Cape. But, people who are benefiting from BCM are from outside, from my observation about 80% of the economy benefits outsiders,” he said.

The taxi boss, who also owns a security company, said he has been exposed to harm by the police following the confiscation of 50 high calibre firearms and ammunition from his home and business premises earlier this year. “I am not protected, I am exposed. In January I was disarmed; my legally registered and licensed firearms were confiscated and I went to court to have those firearms released and until now they have not been released. I survived an assassination attempt on 16 September 2021. The reason I need protectors and firearms around me is to protect my life because SAPS cannot.”

Mtshala was ambushed in Vincent, metres from the department of transport offices. He was leaving the offices after a meeting with the then MEC Wezile Tikana-Gxothiwe in an attempt to end taxi violence in the province.

Buffalo City Business Association defends Mtshala

BCMBA chairperson, Mvuyisi Litye said they were supporting Mtshala because the cases against him were not solid: “We decided that it is time for us to take a stand not just as business people but residents. President Mtshala played a big role in terms of business advocacy since the formation of the association last year. He has done a lot of work in making sure that there is fairness in the business space, especially government tenders, and ensuring that politicians do not interfere which is why coincidentally he is being harassed through the arrests that do not hold up in court.”

Litye said it was untrue that Mtshala was involved in extortion as he advocated against and singly prevented extortion from happening in East London.

Spokesperson for Melta, Welile Blaai said they have lost faith in police: “The system is weak, they are misusing government resources. We resolved in the meeting yesterday that there is a need to support him because he is being violated – when they raided his home, they broke cameras. As our leader, his frequent arrests affect us. We are questioning ourselves as to why he is being arrested by national police and not provincial. Why are they are not properly investigating the matter before arresting him?”

Mtshala addressing his supporters outside East London Magistrate Court.

The investigation against Mtshala is led by a national task team of experts focusing on taxi violence and extortion-related matters in all provinces.

The provincial police meanwhile issued a statement last week Wednesday distancing themselves from the warrant of arrest issued for Mtshala. Spokesperson Major General Nonkululeko Phokane said, “The [Eastern Cape] police did not execute any arrest in this regard and therefore the suspect was not supposed to be in court today. Last week the matter involving the same suspect was withdrawn in the East London Magistrates Court and the SAPS was on record stating the merit of the case is solid and the investigation team is processing matters of court interest.”

Mtshala’s battle with the police

In January, the East London court ordered that the 50 confiscated firearms and ammunition be returned to Mtshala. It found that police had no search warrant nor warrant of arrest. However, the police denied that the raid was done without following due process and are appealing the court order. Mtshala’s arms and ammunition are still with the police.

Late last year, he was one of three taxi industry leaders who were taken in for questioning by police for alleged involvement in the taxi violence and extortion in the province. He was kept in custody for a weekend and was set free by court as the matter against him was not enrolled.

Mtshala was alleged to be involved in intimidation and extortion of long-distance bus companies, an allegation he denied.

Recently, Mtshala obtained an interdict against the police minister, Senzo Mchunu, and his office to prevent them from raiding his properties until there is tangible evidence to arrest him. This however did not stop the NIU from raiding his home on Monday.