WC Mobility Dept approaches court to interdict taxi associations CATA and CODETA amid escalating taxi violence

CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape Mobility Department has approached the courts to interdict taxi associations, Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA ) and Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA), amid escalating taxi violence.

The Department has approached the Western Cape High Court on an urgent basis, seeking an interdict.

A long-standing dispute over a route from Mfuleni and Khayelitsha to Somerset West has claimed the lives of five people.

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Nine other people were injured in shootings at taxi ranks in Philippi East, Khayelitsha, and Macassar this week.

The Western Cape Mobility Department wants the High Court to compel CATA and CODETA to stop the recent deadly shootings in Cape Town.

Speaking in the provincial legislature on Thursday, Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said if the shootings don't stop, they'll be forced to shut down affected routes.

"Should closures be necessary, Speaker, a contingency transport plan is in place to protect commuters and to ensure that no worker, learner, or resident is left stranded."

He added that the government will not tolerate the use of violence to settle disputes.

While there have been no arrests linked to recent deadly taxi shootings in Cape Town, police have confirmed the arrest of 33 suspects linked to taxi violence since April.

Five people, including a commuter, were shot dead at taxi ranks in Philippi, Khayelitsha, and Macassar earlier this week.

Nine other people were injured in the attacks linked to a feud between CATA and CODETA over a taxi route from Mfuleni and Khayelitsha to Somerset West.

The provincial Mobility Department has on Thursday approached the courts to interdict the two taxi associations amid escalating taxi violence.

Premier Alan Winde said the government will not hesitate to take tough action to protect the lives of commuters and residents.

 "We will be following through on our side and supporting the police in the taxi ranks that have been closed. Our Minister of Mobility and the legal team are in court, in processes with Senior Counsel to use the powers that we have around the closure of routes to deal with the taxi industry."