‘Politicians hijacked Macia memorial’

Taxi driver Mido Macia tied to the back of police van and dragged for two minutes and about 400m to Daveyton Police Station, where he later died. Picture: Daily Sun

Emotions ran high at Mido Macia’s memorial service at the Daveyton Stadium today as taxi owners accused politicians and government officials of hijacking the event.

Chairperson of the National Taxi Alliance Mohanoe Masitsa did not mince his words when he took to the podium. “We wanted to bid farewell to Mido in our own way, but politicians have taken over this event and turned it into a political rally.

“Mido was one of our own and he deserved a proper send-off from us,” Masitsa said.

July Msiza, president of Santaco, shared the same sentiments. “This was not a political rally but it has turned into one.

“We should have been afforded the space to bid farewell to Mido without political interference. This shows the little respect that politicians have for taxi drivers and owners,” he said.

Neither Macia’s family members nor his friends were among the speakers.

All the speakers, except for those representing the taxi industry, capitalised on the relationship between the ANC and Frelimo, the ruling party in Mozambique.

Macia (27), a Mozambican national, died after he was dragged behind a police van last Tuesday. He sustained head injuries and suffered from internal bleeding.

The community of Daveyton came out in their numbers to bid farewell to the taxi driver. Among the dignitaries who were present were former president Nelson Mandela’s wife, Graça Machel, MEC for Community Safety Faith Mazibuko and representatives from the Mozambican Consulate in South Africa.

Mazibuko was booed by the community.

Macia will be buried on Saturday in Mozambique. His body will be repatriated on Friday.