30-day taxi route closure in Helderberg hits final day

October 16 marks the last day of the 30-day taxi route and lane closure in the Helderberg region.

In September, the Western Cape High Court granted the provincial mobility department an interdict, ordering the closure of routes from Mfuleni and Khayelitsha to Somerset West.

A dispute between taxi associations, CATA and CODETA, over operating on these routes led to deadly attacks on taxi operators.

Around 10 people were shot and killed as a result of the ongoing impasse.

On 17 September, the Western Cape government ordered the lane and route closures, with the sole purpose of quashing the taxi-related violence.

The routes that were shut down connect Khayelitsha and Mfuleni to the Somerset West CBD.

Western Cape Mobility Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said the move was a last resort, adding that both groups needed to get back to the negotiating table.

Mfuleni CPF spokesperson Mvano Magula said that while the move affected commuters, it did bring relief because the killings had stopped.

"So, we then believe to democratic centralism that when the government has put policies in place, we have to respect those policies. However, it will not be always in favour of us, but we should abide by the law."

Golden Arrow Bus Services and Metrorail increased services for commuters in the area during this time.

However ,Magula said that residents were happy the routes would soon be reopening.