Minibus taxis agree to be fully operational across Cape Town on Friday

Minibus taxis are fully operational across Cape Town on Friday after an agreement was reached between officials and taxi bosses.

Western Cape Transport MEC Daylin Mitchell held an urgent meeting with taxi associations, with the SA National Taxi Council (SANTACO), the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA), the Congress of Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) and senior Government Officials to address the current state of taxi violence and disruptions that has been plaguing the Western Cape.

The urgent meeting follows conflict between rival taxi "mother bodies" Cata and Codeta on Wednesday, which saw eight taxi operators killed in separate incidents across Cape Town.

In a forthright but constructive problem solving meeting this afternoon, the parties agreed to the following:

1.  CATA and CODETA committed to ensure that taxi transport operations will be fully functional as from Friday, 09 July 2021;

2.  A pledge for peace that secures lives and livelihoods  will be signed by both CATA and CODETA as a public acknowledgement of their commitment to peaceful engagements and to ensuring a safe and reliable transport system;

3.  CATA and CODETA committed to revert to their constituencies and leadership to find options in order to resolve the issue of routes in Paarl in the interim while awaiting the outcome of the arbitration process which is already underway. Minister Mitchell undertook that Government expedite the outcome of this arbitration process;

4. Both CATA and CODETA, agreed to an immediate ceasefire and stopping of all forms of violence and destabilisation;

5.  Government tabled administrative and regulatory sanctions that will be in effect until peace and stability have been ensured by both CATA and CODETA;

6.  The Special Regulatory Programme process facilitated by the City of Cape Town, will be placed on hold until sustained peace is achieved.

 

‘’While we want to restore peace and calm, we will not compromise on the rule of law and the safety of commuters,’’ said MEC Mitchell. 

‘’The murderers and criminals must be brought to justice. I urge the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in their investigation,’’ he added.

 

Done By: Mitchum George