City calls for calm amid ongoing taxi violence in Helderberg area

The City’s Urban Mobility Directorate has called for calm amid renewed violence between rival taxi associations in the Helderberg Basin.

Over the past week, tensions between taxi associations CATA and CODETA in Somerset West, Lwandle, and surrounding areas have escalated, with reports of armed attacks, intimidation of drivers and commuters, and the loss of lives.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, has described these incidents as criminal and reckless, calling for an immediate end to the violence.

Quintas says these acts follow the Peace Summit earlier this month, where taxi associations pledged to resolve disputes peacefully.

“The City views any return to violent tactics as a serious breach of the trust and goodwill built during those engagements, and as an affront to the thousands of commuters who depend daily on safe, reliable public transport,” said Quintas

In response, the City is working with the Western Cape Government and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to stabilise the situation. Visible law enforcement officers have been deployed at key transport facilities to deter further violence and provide reassurance to commuters.

Quintas says it is equally concerning that the scheduled meeting between CATA and CODETA leadership did not take place on Monday due to reported safety concerns and absent leadership.

“With no indication of when parties will next meet to resolve their disputes, tensions in the Somerset West area remain dangerously high. Dialogue, not violence, must be the way forward.”

The City has called on the government to consider Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act, which empowers the temporary closure of taxi ranks or routes in the interests of commuter safety.

The City also called on taxi associations to honour their peace commitments, cease intimidation, and pursue dialogue rather than violence.