The local taxi industry has been plunged into mayhem amid ongoing violence and the closure of several routes by the Western Cape Minister of Mobility Isaac Sileku.
The industry has been in turmoil since last month with violence flare-ups at different taxi ranks and transport hubs in recent weeks. In a latest incident, on Tuesday 16 September, a 61-year-old man was gunned down at Dlephu Street in Brown’s Farm. His killing followed the brutal murder of Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) deputy chair Mnikeli Mgope at the Nyanga Terminus on Wednesday 10 September. The two incidents were preceded by flare-ups that affected several routes, including Mfuleni, prompting Sileku to impose a complete shutdown of the route between Mfuleni and Somerset West for 30 days. The routes closed yesterday (17 September) and will be under strict police supervision.
Affected routes:
. Route M18: Mfuleni – Somerset West
. Route 43: Lwandle – Khayelitsha via Somerset West
. Route 611: Khayelitsha – Somerset West
. Route X19: Nomzamo – Mfuleni
. Route AA20: Khayelitsha – Somerset West via Vergelegen
. Route R96: Khayelitsha – Somerset West via Somerset Mall
. Route AA21: Khayelitsha – Sitari Village Mall (drop-off)
Route R97: Khayelitsha – Somerset West (drop-off only)
. Route YEX63: Mfuleni – Somerset West (drop-off only)
. Route YEX64: Mfuleni – Somerset West (drop-off only)
Sileku said specified lanes at taxi ranks in Khayelitsha, Makhaza, Mfuleni, Somerset West, Nomzamo and Lwandle will also be closed.
“This has been an exceptionally difficult decision. We are acutely aware that these routes serve thousands of residents who depend on them daily. However, given the escalating violence, the tragic and unnecessary loss of life, and the failure of previous interventions to restore calm, these extraordinary measures are necessary to stabilise the situation, protect commuters, and prevent further violence,” said Sileku.
Violent clashes cost lives
Sileku said over the past weeks they have seen violent clashes that have cost lives, including six people between Saturday 23 and Tuesday 26 August and the fatal shooting of an off-duty police officer and taxi operator on Thursday 4 September. He said the Western Cape Government’s first priority is the safety of commuters.
“We cannot allow our communities to be held hostage by ongoing violence in the taxi industry. To ensure mobility during this period, alternative transport arrangements have been made. Golden Arrow Bus Services and Metrorail trains will provide additional capacity to assist residents in getting to work and learners in getting to school especially during the upcoming school exams period,” explained Sileku.
He stated that authorities, including the officers, the City’s law enforcement, and provincial traffic will be working together to ensure these extraordinary measures are fully enforced.
Sileku said visible policing will be in place on all affected routes and at ranks to protect commuters and prevent illegal operations. “We call on the affected taxi associations (Cata and Codeta) to put the safety and dignity of commuters above all else and to use this period productively to pursue sustainable, peaceful resolutions. Violence will never deliver the results you seek. Only through negotiations and agreement can this industry find lasting stability,” said Sileku.
Monitoring
Mmatshikhidi Phala, Santaco national spokesperson, said Santaco Western Cape has noted the government decision to impose extraordinary measures in areas where violence, unrest, and instability in the public transport sector have placed lives at risk. “We received this decision with both sadness and understanding. Sadness, because of the long-lasting impact it will have on the livelihoods of taxi operators and their families, as well as the businesses that sustain our industry. At the same time, we understand that the measure was taken in the interest of protecting lives, amid mounting violence and instability linked to our sector. We sincerely apologise to commuters who will be inconvenienced by these closures,” said Phala.
She emphasised that they remain optimistic and hopeful that peace and stability will soon be restored.
The City’s Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith said the City’s Safety and Security Directorate will establish a Joint Operations Centre (JOC) to monitor taxi routes in Somerset West and surrounds. “The Safety and Security Directorate has been monitoring routes since tensions escalated with the closures, our enforcement services will be part of our JOC to ensure adherence and to mitigate any potential risks to public safety,” said Smith, adding that his office has received numerous calls from members of the public enquiring about the closure of routes.
