There are calls on the minibus taxi associations, CATA and CODETA, to resolve the minibus taxi conflict. The Western Cape Government would like the associations to return to negotiations to resolve the recent taxi violence and disruptions.
MEC Sileku added, “If this stalemate continues, the industry will force my hand to impose even harsher sanctions.”
READ MORE: Four dead, eight wounded in taxi conflict since the weekend
Calls on CATA and CODETA to urgently resolve the minibus taxi conflict
Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku says progress starts with dialogue. He added that if people choose talks over tension, they can build a safe, reliable taxi industry that communities deserve. Several people were killed in recent weeks in taxi violence over a disputed route. Many others were left wounded or injured.
“As Minister of Mobility, I have made it clear that commuter safety is my top priority,” said MEC Sileku.
READ MORE: Taxi driver shot and killed at Somerset taxi rank in Makhaza
Minibus taxi conflict in the spotlight
Sileku has reiterated that the safety of commuters and the general public remains one of his top priorities. He says this is non-negotiable. At the same time, he stressed that they will not tolerate any further disruptions in the public transport sector, involving minibus taxis. He has asked both parties to put aside their differences and to engage in meaningful discussions.
The MEC has stressed, “The future of the industry depends on their ability to work together towards a common goal.”
Minibus taxis, pictured above waiting at Bergzicht taxi rank, are the only functioning public transport system in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Photo: GoMetro
The ongoing stalemate has far-reaching implications for the industry’s growth
He states that the Western Cape Government has invested substantial public funds in professional mediation and business training interventions to support the industry. Sileku added that the ongoing stalemate has far-reaching implications for the industry’s growth, sustainability, and competitiveness. The MEC believes that constructive dialogue and collaboration are essential to addressing the challenges facing the mini-bus taxi industry.
MEC Sileku concluded, “We are confident that with goodwill, commitment, and a shared vision, CATA and CODETA can find a way forward that benefits all stakeholders.”
