Andile Lungisa denies any involvement in attempts to incite looting in Nelson Mandela Bay

Andile Lungisa found himself having to answer to the taxi bosses in Nelson Mandela Bay on Wednesday as they questioned him on attempts by some groups to create instability in the city.

The industry said they wanted Lungisa to answer to and clarify rumours that he was instigating looting and destruction in the city.

They did not have proof of their allegations.

Lungisa denied the claims, saying that though he was unhappy with former president Jacob Zuma's imprisonment, he was not involved in any attempts to create instability.

The industry, which wanted Lungisa to clearly state if he was leading attempts to create destruction in the city, met him on Wednesday afternoon.

Lungisa said at the meeting that he had agreed to partner with the taxi industry to publicly declare that he was distancing himself from any attempts to loot in the metro.

He dismissed claims that he was inciting violence.

From Thursday, Lungisa will join the taxi industry in their convoys around the Bay to ensure there is no looting at shopping centres and to also make it clear to the public that he was not in favour of any instability or violence.

Mayor Nqaba Bhanga said at a media briefing earlier that the taxi industry was looking for Lungisa at the ANC office as they blame him for the foiled attempted looting in the Gqeberha CBD and Kariega.

“The taxi industry went looking for Lungisa at the ANC office as they blame him.

“I was briefed that he wants to join in the call for calm.

“The president of the taxi industry says Lungisa is at a police station for protection,” Bhanga told members of the media and stakeholders.

Bhanga was joined by SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) regional chair Songezo Mpanda, Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber CEO Denise van Huyssteen and religious leaders in briefing residents and  businesses about the work that has been done to circumvent riots and looting that has been seen in other parts of the country.

In the earlier part of the day, members of different taxi associations took the streets in Kariega, KwaNobuhle and KwaLanga, encouraging businesses to keep their doors open as they would guard and act against would-be looters.

Even though there has been no evidence linking Lungisa to any attempts to loot shops in Gqeberha and Kariega, many have presumed he was attempting to instigate violence in the city because he is a staunch supporter of former President Jacob Zuma.

But Lungisa has denied this, also adding that he was not seeking protection from the police.

Lungisa said he had laid a complaint of crimen injuria at the Kabega Park police station on Wednesday.

This, he said, was because a screenshot of a WhatsApp message had stated he was behind an attempt to start a looting frenzy in the city.

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu confirmed a case had been opened.

Lungisa said he “loved” the taxi industry and had always supported their causes.

“There must be no looting. It is good what the taxi industry is doing,” he said, referring to drivers’ protecting businesses in the city.

Meanwhile, at Bhanga’s media conference, Mpanda told Bhanga that he had been told Lungisa wanted to join the taxi industry in denouncing any violent flareups and looting.

“I’m told he wants to join the taxi industry and that he is currently at a police station,” he said.

Pictures circulating on social media showed taxis parked outside Florence Matomela House.

Asked to confirm this, Mpanda said he was aware they had gone to look for Lungisa.

“It is believed that he is the one leading people to destroy,” he said.

Asked what the taxis wanted with Lungisa, Mpanda said he did not know.

“I don’t know but that is the briefing I got myself. We’re going to meet and sit down with him this afternoon,” Mpanda said.

ANC regional task team co-ordinator Luyolo Nqakula confirmed that members of the taxi association went looking for Lungisa at the regional headquarters.

“I spoke to him [Lungisa] and advised him on the situation. He has since visited the police,” he said.

Nqakula said they took allegations that Lungisa may have tried to incite people seriously.

“They have been referred to the relevant authorities. The ANC is also going to be engaging him with respect to the allegations,” he said.

During his briefing, Bhanga said there were no incidents of looting reported in the metro.

He thanked Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane for his support.

This is a developing story.

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