Following taxi-related violence, WC govt shuts some routes between Somerset West & Khayelitsha for 30 days

CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape Government is implementing extraordinary measures to stabilise escalating taxi violence, following more deaths and the failure of interventions.

Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku on Friday announced the closure of several routes and specified lanes at some ranks for 30 days, from Wednesday.

The affected areas are Khayelitsha, Makhaza, Mfuleni, Somerset West, Nomzamo and Lwandle.

Mobility MEC, Isaac Sileku, said that he's acutely aware that the routes facing closure served thousands of residents who depend on them daily.

But, he said, the provincial government's first and foremost priority was the safety of commuters.

"Over the past weeks, we have seen violent clashes that have cost lives. Families have been torn apart, livelihoods disrupted, and the safety of ordinary commuters has been gravely undermined. We cannot allow our communities to be held hostage by ongoing violence in the taxi industry." 

Alternative public transport arrangements have been made to cushion the blow, with Golden Arrow Bus Services and Metrorail trains providing additional capacity to help residents get to work and school.

The MEC has again called on taxi associations, CATA and CODETA, to put the safety of commuters above all else and to use this period productively to pursue sustainable, peaceful resolutions.