Taxi associations fail to reach agreement

THE Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) and the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) failed to reach an agreement over the disputed Khayelitsha–Somerset West route which has resulted in the killing of taxi drivers and commuters.

The violence follows a peace agreement signed on June 24 after the intervention of the South African National Taxi Council and the government.

Less than two months later, taxi drivers were attacked in Somerset West, Philippi East, Khayelitsha, Strand, and Macassar in just five days.

Cata spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi said: “The other party remains aggrieved, and the agreement is still active. The fight here is about the route between Khayelitsha and Somerset West. There is a court order that is in place that bars Codeta from picking up passengers from Somerset West. Suddenly, Codeta is going against an order that has been standing for 20 years, and their operating licences are only for them, not to return, but one way.”

He said this matter is separate from the Mfuleni–Somerset West conflict, which left more than six people dead.

“This was not an issue until recently, and it needs to end because we don’t want any more bloodshed. We have now suggested that we work together, where we are going, each association has a chance to load passengers from the same rank, so we both benefit.”

Codeta chairperson Nceba Enge said they wanted to be able to conduct return trips.

“We are still in talks. We have an A point where the residents live, and we transport them to the B point, and we want to take them back home, and that is the issue. We demand that our agreement that we had in 2021 be implemented, as Cata also shares some of our routes. So if we can have the same agreement as the one in Mfuleni, we would be happy.”

The Western Cape Mobility Department confirmed that the Somerset West taxi rank had been closed by the South African Police Service for 24 hours to prevent further violence.

The department said an urgent court order will be filed against the organisations to quell violence, intimidation, and unlawful operations. This will allow law-abiding operators to continue serving commuters.

The Provincial Taxi Registrar will issue a Section 7A(20) enquiry notice requiring the associations to explain why they have failed to comply with the industry’s Code of Conduct. If they are unable to provide satisfactory reasons, the registrar may impose sanctions, including suspending operating licences.

A Section 91 notice will also be issued. These notices document specific route infringements and serve as formal warnings that continued violations may result in the temporary or permanent closure of affected routes and ranks.

A contingency plan has been implemented to ensure safe and uninterrupted transport along all affected corridors. Alternative transport options will be provided, and security will be overseen by Provincial Traffic, the SAPS, and the City of Cape Town law enforcement.

Premier Alan Winde said: “If these taxi associations are unable to negotiate peacefully, we are left with no alternative but to take the necessary steps to hold them accountable. Residents and commuters are our first priority. Their safety is of utmost importance, and ensuring this is non-negotiable. The loss of life is completely unacceptable, and we will work closely with all law enforcement to bring justice to those responsible for this heinous violence.”

Cape Times