Taxi troubles: Drastic steps taken to force end to deadly route squabble

The Western Cape Mobility Department will close 10 minibus-taxi routes to and from the Helderberg for 30 days, from Wednesday 17 September.

Its decision to invoke Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act (NLTA) follows a deadly route dispute between rival taxi associations Cata and Codeta over the past couple of months. It allows for the department to impose “extraordinary measures in areas where violence, unrest and instability in the public-transport sector have placed lives at risk.” The measures taken are designed to protect lives and restore order.

The routes that will be such down are:

• Route M18: Mfuleni to Somerset West;
• Route 43: Lwandle to Khayelitsha via Somerset West;
• Route 611: Khayelitsha to Somerset West;
• Route X19: Nomzamo to Mfuleni;
• Route AA20: Khayelitsha to Somerset West via Vergelegen;
• Route R96: Khayelitsha to Somerset West via Somerset Mall;
• Route AA21: Khayelitsha to Sitari Village Mall (drop-off);
• Route R97: Khayelitsha to Somerset West (drop-off only);
• Route YEX63: Mfuleni to Somerset West (drop-off only); and
• Route YEX64: Mfuleni to Somerset West (drop-off only).

The disagreement between the two taxi associations has led to deadly violence in the industry, claiming six lives and injuring several in the last three weeks alone It also led to the temporary closure of the Somerset West Public Transport Interchange, and an urgent interdict from the Western Cape High Court to the Mobility Department prohibiting members of Cata and Codeta as well as its affiliates from interfering with transport services at the Somerset West taxi rank, Somerset West Mall and on four key routes.

‘DIFFICULT DECISION’

At a press conference in Cape Town, provincial mobility minister Isaac Sileku announced the decision taken by Cabinet on Friday morning (12 September). The planned action included the closure of specified lanes at taxi ranks in Khayelitsha, Makhaza, Mfuleni, Somerset West, Nomzamo and Lwandle.

“This has been an exceptionally difficult decision,” Sileku said. “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.”

Sileku reiterated provincial government prioritising the safety of all commuters. “We cannot allow our communities to be held hostage by ongoing violence in the taxi industry,” he said.

“To ensure mobility in 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 to school, especially in the upcoming school-exam period.”

AUTHORITIES ON ALERT

Furthermore, the police, City of Cape Town Law Enforcement and provincial traffic officers will fully enforce the safety measures through visible policing on the affected routes and taxi ranks. “Anyone who contravenes the notice will face the full force of the law,” Sileku added.

He reissued a plea to the leadership of Cata and Codeta to place commuter safety at the top of their priority and return to negotiations for finding a resolution and ending the deadly squabble. “Use this period productively, pursuing sustainable, peaceful resolutions. Violence will never deliver the results you seek. Only through negotiations and agreement can this industry find lasting stability.”