Conflict Resolution Unit to mediate into taxi conflict

By Tando Mfengwana
01 September 2006

A conflict resolution unit has been established to try and resolve the ongoing conflict between rival taxi groups in the Western Cape.


Transport and Public works Minister, Marius Fransman, said that the City of Cape Town, the Department of Community Safety and the City Planning authorities are devising a plan to bring stability to the city’s taxi conflict.

The Cape Times reports that the unit will be based at the department’s Goodwood offices.

Marius said that solutions to the problems in the taxi industry must not be resolved through the barrel of a gun.

He added that government is bringing a capacity to facilitate resolutions of disputes in the short term, long term solutions lie in the Integrated Public Transport System that is being rolled out.

This announcement comes on the last day of the Western Cape Taxi Council business conference yesterday.

The Congress of Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) warned of massive disruptions on the city if the provincial administrators fail to implement the long standing recommendations that could put an end to the taxi conflicts.

The dispute resolution unit will start on Monday; its purpose is to look into mediation and resolution of route-based conflicts and early warning systems, amongst other things. A call centre where members of the public can call in to report incidents of conflict will also be set up.