Representatives of feuding taxi associations, Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) and Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata), are condemning the escalating tensions over disputed operator routes, which culminated in a disruptive blockade in Somerset West on Monday (9 June).
Said Cata spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi:
“We unequivocally condemn these actions. Violence is never a solution; it only exacerbates problems and tarnishes the reputation of our industry, which already struggles with negative public perception. These incidents undermine all our efforts to transform how the public views taxi operations. While we acknowledge there are legitimate issues to address, the safety of our commuters must remain our paramount concern – without them, we have no industry.”
He appealed to authorities to implement immediate measures to protect both commuters and the broader public while stakeholders work toward finding a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
Sharing this sentiment, Codeta and the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) spokesperson Makhosandile Tumana said that by later this week they will have scheduled a meeting to communicate the way forward.
Commuters stranded
The taxi blockade brought Somerset West to a standstill Monday morning, forcing authorities to close several key roads around the public transport interchange (PTI) and leaving commuters stranded.
“Our priority is to keep commuters safe and assist the South African Police Service in maintaining order,”
said JP Smith, Mayoral Committee member for Safety and Security.
The disruption affected major routes including Victoria Road between the N2 and Reitz Street, as well as De Beers Road at the highway intersection.
In response, a joint operational team comprising members of the police, Metro Police, Law Enforcement, and Traffic Services deployed to the PTI at the intersection of Church and Andries Pretorius streets.
Provincial police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that officers would “maintain heightened visibility throughout the affected areas until the situation fully normalises”.
He further noted that the area had been under surveillance since last Thursday (5 June) and that no serious incidents have been reported.
However, it is alleged that taxi tensions have escalated following two separate fatal shootings, one at the Mfuleni Taxi Rank on Friday (6 June) and the other in Lwandle on Saturday evening (7 June).
According to police reports, officers responded to the latter incident in Vulindlela Street around 19:00, where they discovered the driver of a Volkswagen Polo Vivo – believed to be a 43-year-old taxi owner – with fatal gunshot wounds.
An eight-year-old child was also wounded by a stray bullet and transported to hospital. The perpetrators remain at large.
Mediator appointed
The police appealed to anyone with information about the shooting incident to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile application anonymously.
Muneera Allie, head of communication for the provincial mobility department, on enquiry, said the department has appointed a mediator to facilitate discussions between feuding taxi associations, issued compliance notices, held multiple meetings with the respective associations, and scheduled additional consultations with Santaco’s regional structures as part of their comprehensive intervention strategy to help resolve the dispute related to a route (M18) from Mfuleni to Somerset West.
“The department will monitor all further developments while authorities engage with the conflicting parties to find an amicable solution,” Allie said.
“Additionally, regulatory and planning authorities will conduct a comprehensive review of the operating licenses and route allocations.”
By Tuesday (10 June), police maintained their heightened visibility in and around the PTI, with no reported blockades around the central business district and some taxis appeared to be operating as per normal.
“Six taxis have been impounded under the Criminal Matters Amendment Act. No arrests have been made and the investigations continue,” confirmed Van Wyk.
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