The deadly turf war which has erupted between rival taxi associations and claimed about a dozen lives in Cape Town could be moving towards a resolution.
Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) have agreed to a seven-day truce.
Speaking to Africa Melane on CapeTalk/702, Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said both associations had committed to ending the killings and working with government.
“They are going to commit and assure the communities of the Western Cape that they are committed to what they have agreed on. And then, when the communities of the Western Cape get into a minibus taxi, they are not going to risk losing their lives.”
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The main points of disagreement involve operating licences and which associations are entitled to use particular routes.
Sileku said mediators would meet with the associations separately before bringing them together for further discussions next Tuesday.
“We are going to meet with both organisations, and then we’re going to start on the process of trying to iron out all these issues… we won’t be seeing any fighting, killings… that’s what they’re committed to.”
He said court interdicts were also in place to hold operators accountable.
“If you don’t adhere to the code of conduct, there are certain sanctions that you are going to be given.”
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Meanwhile, the provincial taxi registrar has suspended the CATA Langa Intertownship Taxi Association for at least six months.
The suspension bars members from applying for or renewing operating licences during that period.
“There was a hearing where they actually admitted that they were not supposed to operate on a certain route, and as a result of that, they were given a sanction.”
Sileku said the sanction was aimed at operators and should not disrupt commuters.
“That’s just to show that if you don’t work with government, government is going to act against you because we have a responsibility towards the communities of this Western Cape.”
He also confirmed that additional police and law enforcement officers deployed to certain taxi ranks would remain in place while negotiations continued.
“We will continue monitoring the situation on a daily basis.”
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Sara-Jayne Makwala King
www.ewn.co.za