Provincial transport bosses weigh closure of taxi routes amid violence

A few hours after the midnight deadline, the decision on whether to close taxi routes in Cape Town and surrounds still hangs in the balance as provincial transport bosses weigh their next move.

Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku is expected to decide whether to close sections of the Khayelitsha to Somerset West corridor and surrounding routes for three months following weeks of bloodshed.

Rival associations, the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) and the Congress of Democratic Taxi Associations (Codeta), were given until midnight on Monday to make written submissions on why their permits should remain in place.

The looming decision follows an escalation of killings, with at least ten people murdered and several others wounded in recent weeks. Among the dead was SAPS Constable Desmond Mandlevu, 42, who was gunned down in Lwandle last Thursday.

A Western Cape High Court interdict, granted on August 28 and valid until October 9, already prohibits violence, intimidation and personal injury. 

But with blood still being spilled, Sileku has warned that tougher action is needed.

“Violence and lawlessness have no place in our transport system,” he said .“The safety of commuters and residents is our first priority. We will use every legal and regulatory mechanism to restore stability.”

A high-stakes meeting between the provincial government, Santaco and all eight regional taxi structures convened to weigh submissions and discuss the way forward. If approved, the closures would see permits on the disputed routes suspended. 

Defiant operators could face fines of up to R5 000 or six months behind bars. Temporary permits maybe issued to other service providers to prevent commuters from being stranded.

The Khayelitsha to Somerset West corridor, at the centre of the conflict, has become one of the deadliest in the province. Trouble began when rights to the M18 route were granted to a Mfuleni association but never used.

Instead, a Lwandle-based group with-out permits began running the return service.

The dispute has since spread to Mfuleni, Nomzamo and surrounding areas. June saw a spate of killings, with four taxi operators murdered at the Mfuleni rank and three more days later.

Somerset West’s CBD was brought to a standstill by roadblocks and standoffs. A fragile calm collapsed again in August, leaving seven dead and eight wounded in a single week across several townships.

Parliament’s transport portfolio committee chair Donald Selamolela said the ongoing violence placed a national crisis in sharp relief.

“The taxi industry carries 50 million commuters daily. The current instability is unacceptable. We send condolences to the families who have lost loved ones, but also demand accountability from the associations,” Selamolela said.

“The committee appeals to both Codeta and Cata to resolve their differences amicably. The peaceful resolution of the conflict will not only strengthen the foundation of public transport in the province, but it will also underscore the power of dialogue and accountability in overcoming conflict, ensuring that the interests of commuters come first.”

Cata spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi said: “We are not agreeing on being pushed out of the Khayelitsha to Somerset West route. We do not mind sharing, but exclusion will not work for us.”

Codeta chairperson Nceba Enge said consultations with members were continuing, but that their demand remained to return with passengers from Somerset West.

For commuters, Tuesday's decision could mean the difference between safe, regulated transport and further chaos.

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Cape Argus