TAXI ASSOCIATIONS IN LERIBE AGREE ON CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
	May 23 - Poor infrastructure, particularly absence of a bus stop in Hlotse has been attributed as the main sources of conflicts amongst the taxi operators, and between the latter and the police. In a meeting between taxi associations and the police on Tuesday, led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations (ACP), Mr. Kizito Mhlakaza, taxi associations outlined a number of grievances among themselves and police, showing that absence of bus top and lights in the area accelerates their conflicts as they share a small stake in a congested place in addition to the problem of eroded bus stop. Despite their conflicts as taxi associations, they agreed on the need for tolerance, cooperation, regular meetings involving police, and selection of representatives of the associations plus police and members of Leribe Civic Association that was also present at the meeting to oversee the implementation of the resolutions. Another source of conflict outlined was the routes of transport, which they fight over for passengers while blaming police on taking sides in an attempt to address such matters. ACP Mhlakaza urged the participants of the meeting to be committed to implementations of agreed strategies in management of conflicts. He also noted that both sides ought to respect the law in every thing they do reminding the police to also remember their duty as civil servants to support the taxi operators by offering protection of their business instead of sharing the spirit of revenge where there are misunderstandings. The members of the Bokong Taxi Association whose efforts in seeking solution to the conflicts, especially which was between them and the police led to the meeting, expressed hope that the outcome would serve the purpose of peace and respect among all the stake holders. The meeting was a result of taxi transport conflicts which started from October last year.
	Source: LENA