Gauteng taxi operations set to continue

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Pretoria - Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, is no longer going to shut down taxi operations following incidents of taxi violence in Mamelodi, Reiger Park, Vosloorus and Emfuleni. 

Two weeks ago, MEC Vadi had published notices in the provincial gazette declaring his intention to close down taxi operations in these areas. The notices had also invited affected parties to make representations to MEC Vadi indicating why such a decision should not be taken. 

However, on Wednesday, the MEC announced that he will not be shutting down taxi operations after meeting directly with leaders of taxi associations from the affected areas. 

MEC Vadi said such drastic measures were necessary to bring an end to the spate of shootings in which several taxi leaders, drivers and passengers were killed.  

“The law empowers the MEC to shut down taxi operations if there is violence, unrest and instability in the industry which threaten public and commuter safety,” said MEC Vadi.        

In terms of the National Land Transport Act, provincial MECs for Transport are empowered to terminate taxi operations if conditions of violence, unrest or instability persist in the industry.            

MEC Vadi confirmed that he had received extensive and detailed submissions from the Mamelodi Amalgamated Taxi Association (MATA); the Mamelodi Local and Long Distance Taxi Association (MALDTA); the Reiger Park and District Taxi Association; the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance and the ANC-Grace Flathela Parliamentary Constituency Office expressing serious concerns about the adverse impact of a total closure of taxi services on communities, particularly during the festive season.

MEC Vadi had also met with his transport counterparts from Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, Sedibeng and Emfuleni, including the SA Police Service, to get their assessment of the situation before arriving at the decision to keep taxi ranks open.   

“After having considered the submissions and getting firm commitments from the leaders of local taxi associations in the affected areas dissociating themselves from taxi violence, I have determined that taxi operations should continue as normal,” said MEC Vadi.   

In his meeting with the leadership of local taxi associations, an agreement was reached that the associations will: 

  • condemn all acts of violence and/or intimidation by any of their members and/or persons associated with the taxi industry;
  • not allow any person/s from operating at taxi ranks and on routes if they are not in possession of valid permits and/or operating licences;
  • abide by court decision/s in respect of disputed taxi routes;
  • not support the use of armed private security companies to ‘protect’ rival factions within and across taxi associations;
  • strive at all times to place first the interests and safety of commuters;
  • co-operate with the law enforcement agencies in respect of criminal investigations into taxi killings; and
  • work with the Head of Department to identify and to report public servants who are alleged to have been involved in issuing fraudulent operating licenses and route allocations. – SAnews.gov.za