Peace talks between rival CT taxi associations CATA & CODETA deadlock

CAPE TOWN - Peace talks between rival Cape Town taxi associations CATA and CODETA have deadlocked.

The latest attacks have claimed the lives of at least five people and left nine people, including passengers, wounded.

Disputes over routes have resulted in gunfights in Philippi East, Khayelitsha, Macassar and Lwandle in the past two days.

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It's believed the recent flare-up in taxi violence is linked to a dispute between CATA and CODETA over a route in the Helderberg basin. 

The contested route runs between Mfuleni and Somerset West.

In June, the feuding associations agreed to work peacefully and find a permanent solution.

However, CATA spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi said it seemed that CODETA had reneged on this agreement.

"As CATA, we want to sit around the table with our colleagues from CODETA and continue to engage them but we cannot force them to come to meetings if they are not willing."

The Somerset West taxi rank has been closed by the police for 24 hours to prevent further violence.