HELDERBERG – Formal mediation between taxi industry stakeholders will begin on Monday 31 August in a bid to end ongoing violence on the Khayelitsha – Somerset West route.
The Western Cape Mobility Department announced this after meeting with the provincial leadership of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco), affected regions and primary associations on Monday 24 August.
The parties agreed to participate in the mediation process to help resolve the conflict and prevent further violence. This forms part of government and law enforcement efforts to restore safety on the route following recent violent incidents.
The latest incident happened in Dunoon on Saturday 22 August, following the murder of two men in Lwandle on Thursday 20 August.
The killings are part of a wave of taxi violence across the Helderberg since June, linked to the ongoing route dispute between the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta). Despite the Western Cape High Court handing suspended sentences to Codeta and 23 individuals last month for defying court orders, the violence has persisted.
ALSO READ: Suspended sentences for Codeta and 23 others over route intimidation
Last week the DA in the Western Cape called for urgent police action after 51 people were killed in taxi-related violence this financial year.
Prof Nomafrench Mbombo, MPP, DA Western Cape spokesperson on mobility, called for decentralised policing, with provinces and municipalities given greater investigative powers.
ALSO READ: DA says 51 people killed in taxi violence in the Cape
The Mobility Department added that police are attending to the incidents and investigations are underway.
The department says it is committed to ensuring safe public transport and will act decisively to save lives.
“Every commuter has the right to travel safely, and every operator and driver has the right to work without fear,” says Muneera Allie, the department’s head of communication.
She assured the public that traffic officers are increasing visibility on key routes and impounding non-compliant vehicles.
“We are working closely with law enforcement agencies, municipalities and industry stakeholders to support efforts to restore stability, strengthen enforcement, and ensure that public transport services can continue to operate safely and reliably.”
