Western Cape Transport Minister, Daylin Mitchell has decided to close thr route between Bellville and Paarl as clashes between rival groups CATA and CODETA continue.
Upto 20 people have been killed in the conflict over the past two weeks. He said the B 97 route is the main cause of the conflict with both organisations claiming that they have the right to operate on it.
He made the decision following consultations with the police, premier Alan Winde and the national transport department.
The closure of the route will
take effect on Monday next week. Earlier this week on Wednesday, the Western Cape government made
an official request for the deployment of more soldiers to quell the ongoing
taxi violence in the province.
The soldiers are assisting law
enforcement officials to bring stability in the affected routes. Golden Arrow
Bus Service is offering limited service after one of the drivers was shot in
the face near Nyanga.
Law enforcement officials have
conducted search operations in some taxi ranks and escorted some taxi and
busses along affected routes to ensure safety. Winde said he envisages double
the current number of soldiers to bolster the law enforcement.
by Everngelista Muza
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