Permanent court order to combat taxi violence welcomed by Western Cape MEC

Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku has welcomed a High Court’s decision to make an earlier interim order aimed at curbing taxi violence in the Cape permanently.

Earlier this year, Sileku approached the court following an ongoing conflict between rival taxi associations CATA and CODETA over contested routes between Mfuleni and Somerset West.

Despite attempts to mediate, violence escalated, leading to several fatalities and continued threats to public safety.

In August, the court issued a temporary order granting the department authority to implement emergency measures, including closing routes and ranks, and to stop taxi violence between the associations.

Following the High Court’s interim order, MEC Sileku decided to shut down the affected routes for 30 days in September, as violence escalated between the warring taxi associations.

In October, the court dismissed CODETA's urgent bid to overturn these closures.

Sileku says the court's final order is a victory for every commuter who deserves to travel safely and without fear.

"Violence and lawlessness have no place in our transport system. We will continue to work [with] law enforcement and industry stakeholders to ensure that [the] rights of commuters are protected."

He has called on taxi associations to comply with their operating licence conditions.