Taxi associations CATA and Codeta have pledged to end a wave of violence that left three people dead and eight injured.
- After an urgent meeting with the Western Cape government and City of Cape Town, taxi associations CATA and Codeta have pledged to end a wave of violence that left three people dead and eight injured.
- Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said “both associations must put down their guns” and work towards lasting peace.
- The violence, which spread through Delft, Khayelitsha, Mfuleni and Gugulethu, disrupted public transport, shut down key taxi ranks and left hundreds of commuters stranded last week.
The Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) have formally pledged to end the wave of taxi-related violence that left three people dead and eight injured in Cape Town last week.
The commitment came after an urgent stakeholder engagement on Monday involving the Western Cape Department of Mobility, the City of Cape Town, both taxi associations, and the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) Western Cape, which attended in an observer capacity.
Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku warned that the province would not tolerate further bloodshed.
“[Monday’s] meeting is a step in the right direction. But the violence must stop. This is non-negotiable,” Sileku said.
“Both associations must put down their guns and work towards a peaceful solution. Residents must be able to use public transport without fearing for their lives. We owe it to them to make this process work.”
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Santaco Western Cape cautioned that the real test lies in what happens next.
“Today’s engagement is an important step towards restoring peace and stability in our industry. However, commitments alone are not enough,” provincial chairperson Besuthu Ndungane said.
“We call on all parties to honour their word and ensure that no more lives are lost over disputes that can be resolved through dialogue.”
Santaco will observe the independently facilitated process CATA and Codeta agreed to.
As part of that process, both associations committed to identifying and addressing the root causes of the ongoing conflict. Stakeholder engagements to determine the most urgent issues on the table are expected to begin this week.
A follow-up meeting between all parties and the Western Cape government is scheduled for next Tuesday.
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Taxi-related violence in Cape Town caused widespread disruptions on Friday.
As a result, Cape Town International Airport staff could not get to work, leading to flight delays and affecting hundreds of travellers.
The violence spread throughout Delft, Khayelitsha, Mfuleni and Gugulethu.
Taxi services were suspended or severely reduced at key ranks, including Nyanga and Wynberg, with limited operations in Langa, Mfuleni and the Cape Town Station Deck.
Nicole McCain
www.news24.com
