SANTACO reacts to urgent closure of Taxi routes in Western Cape

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) said they were saddened by the Western Cape Government’s decision to close several routes as of tomorrow but that they understood that extraordinary measures had to be enforced to protect lives.

While the City’s Safety and Security mayco member, JP Smith assures commuters that there is no need to panic as there is no taxi strike looming.

In a statement issued on Tuesday morning, SANTACO said they were of the belief that law and order would be restored in this instance.

“The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) Western Cape has noted the Western Cape Government’s resolution to invoke Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act, which empowers the province to impose extraordinary measures in areas where violence, unrest, and instability in the public transport sector have placed lives at risk,” they said.

“In terms of this decision, from Wednesday, September 17,  selected taxi routes will be closed for a period of 30 days.

“We receive this decision with both sadness and understanding. Sadness, because of the long-lasting impact it will have on the livelihoods of taxi operators and their families, as well as the businesses that sustain our industry. 

“At the same time, we understand that the measure was taken in the interest of protecting lives, amid mounting violence and instability linked to our sector.

“We sincerely apologise to commuters who will be inconvenienced by these closures. As an industry that provides the backbone of daily mobility for thousands of people, we are deeply aware of the disruption this brings.

“Nevertheless, we remain optimistic and hopeful that through the ongoing dialogue with government and other stakeholders, peace and stability will soon be restored. SANTACO Western Cape is committed to working tirelessly and in good faith towards a lasting solution.

“Our firm belief is that, through collective effort, dialogue, and understanding, the Western Cape will overcome this period and restore both stability in the industry and trust among our commuters.”

Smith said they have all hands on deck to make sure everything runs smoothly tomorrow as closures are set into motion.

“The City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Directorate will establish a Joint Operations Centre to monitor taxi routes in Somerset West and surrounds,” he added.

“The closure follows ongoing tensions between taxi organisations.

“The Safety and Security Directorate has been monitoring routes since tensions escalated – with the closures, our enforcement services will be part of our JOC to ensure adherence, and to mitigate any potential risks to public safety.

“My office has received numerous calls from members of the public enquiring about a taxi strike – for the record, this is not a strike, but the closure of routes for a pre-determined period, which means that taxis are not allowed to operate on those routes identified by the Mobility MEC:”

 “We caution the public to please refrain from circulating unverified information, and to report any safety concerns or incidents to our Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) by dialing 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline. “

Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku announced the decision that several minibus routes would be closed following deadly clashes between associations Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Codeta) and Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta), a driver has been found shot inside a taxi in Nyanga.

Last week, MEC Sileku said during  Cabinet, the Western Cape Government a decision was made to institute Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act.

Sileku warned that the 30 days could be extended if the two associations don't find a resolution.

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