SANTACO mum on application of court interdict; Taxi task team talks continues without taxi body

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) remains mum about whether or not it has filed papers in the Western Cape High Court to try and interdict the City of Cape Town and Western Cape Government to release impounded minibus taxi’s.

The City of Cape Town impounded thirteen taxis over theweekend, despite an agreement reached between the parties

PICTURE SUPPLIED

Speaking on Bush Radio on Wednesday, Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis said he welcomes the announcement that SANTACO wants to obtain a court interdict.

‘’I have said for a long time that I really hope they take us to court, because then they will see what we have been saying – that it is perfectly legal. In a democracy, in a law-abiding society, the way you resolve differences is through court processes; through peaceful discussions and negioations and arbitration. You do not resolve violence, that is not how you do things through a constitutional democracy.’’

A temporary 14-day taxi task team has been established to discuss the “new regulations” on how taxis will operate in the Western Cape. SANTACO was however not part of this discussions, which started on Monday, as they said they are unhappy about government officials not keeping to their promises.

Hill-Lewis said despite SANTACO not being part of the discussions, talks continued.

‘’Unfortunately SANTACO did not come to the talks, but we had it anyway, with the Western Cape Government which is the authority which issues taxi operating licenses, and we had very fruitful discussions starting to draw up the ‘minor and major offences, and hopefully they will return to the taxi task team soon, because the 14-days is ticking. They asked us to start the 14-days on Monday, and we did, and if we have no agreement after 14-days then we will resort to things were before,’’ said Geordin Hill-Lewis, Cape Town Mayor.

 

Done By: Mitchum George