by Fred Nel MPL – DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Roads and Transport
For far too long Gauteng has been experiencing taxi violence, which is putting the lives of our people at risk on a daily basis.
In response to the taxi violence incidents that have been occurring across the province, both the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport and Community Safety have not done enough to find a lasting solution.
In the latest incident four people were killed and six others injured at the Tsakane taxi rank. It has been reported that a shooting incident took place after members of the Brakpan Taxi Association met to resolve complaints they had. See picture here.
The MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, announced that Tsakane taxi rank would be closed until the dispute over operating routes is resolved.
Last year, the MEC suspended the Witwatersrand African Taxi Owners Association’s (Wata) operating rights in Soweto after violence erupted between Wata and the Nancefield Dube West Taxi Association. Both these organisations were competing for routes.
In January this year taxi violence erupted between the Zonkizizwe Taxi Association (Zota) and the Katlehong People’s Taxi Association (Kapta) over operating routes.
It is unfortunate that the taxi rank in Tsakane has been closed, as commuters now need to find alternate transport, which they can ill afford.
The DA is calling on both the MEC for Community Safety, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane and the MEC for Roads and Transport to work together to ensure that the dispute over operating routes is resolved as a matter of urgency and that commuters who depend on taxis to get to and from work are kept safe.
We will continue to monitor this situation as it is high-time that our people are given access to safe and reliable public transport.