30-day shutdown of some taxi routes in Cape Town enters final week

A 30-day shutdown of some taxi routes from Mfuleni and Khayelitsha to Somerset West has entered its final week.

The closures were first implemented on Wednesday, 17 September, after conflict between taxi associations CATA and CODETA.

At least 10 operators and commuters were shot and killed in attacks linked to the dispute.

Twenty-seven days into the shutdown and the impasse between the taxi associations, CATA and CODETA, is yet to be resolved.

CODETA had approached the courts to force the Western Cape Government to reverse its decision to shut down routes, but last week, the Western Cape High Court dismissed the urgent interdict application.

Mobility MEC, Isaac Sileku: "We call on all parties to return to the table and work towards a lasting, peaceful solution."

CODETA said it's ready and willing to engage in talks to find a resolution.

CODETA's Makhosandile Tumana: "We are now waiting for the last day of this suspension, then we will listen from our government what is going to happen after. But the only thing that we are a bit worried about is that ever since this suspension, we never engaged with CATA so that we can try to find a solution, government has always told us we should meet, but it is so difficult, I'm not going to lie."

Meanwhile, the Taxi Peace Ambassador Programme will be launched at the Bellville taxi rank on Monday.

SANTACO said that 16 ambassadors would act as community-based champions of non-violence, tasked with mediating tensions early, promoting accountability, and serving as trusted points of contact for commuters and operators.