GEORGE NEWS - The face of Codeta Disadvantaged Taxi Association in George, Xola Swapi, passed away after a car accident near Sterkspruit in the Eastern Cape on 29 October.
According to his wife, Zintle, his car was the only vehicle involved in the accident. It is alleged that his vehicle rolled after he lost control. Swapi sustained critical injuries and was transported to the Netcare Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein.
He succumbed to his injuries on Thursday 5 November.
"He was a beloved husband, father and brother and will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all of us," his wife said.
Swapi, originally from the Eastern Cape, was often seen in George during taxi protests and Codeta movements.
The exact details surrounding the accident are still unclear.
A funeral service will be held tomorrow, Friday 13 November, at his home in New Brighton near Port Elizabeth.
Last week Tuesday, 3 November, a group of disgruntled taxi owners in George handed the George Municipality and the Western Cape Department of Transport a memorandum with exactly the same demands as an earlier one.
According to Jandré Bakker, head of communication at the department, the Codeta Disadvantaged Taxi Association handed over a memorandum during a march on 29 September and gave the organisations until 15 October to respond. According to the department, the march on 3 November was held despite the fact that the municipality had responded to the first memorandum.
The response clearly set out the conditions and procedures to be followed to register a minibus taxi association. He stressed that existing government procedures, protocols, and laws apply to all and no exceptions can be made.
A representative of Codeta was not available for comment.
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