Suspension of taxi services in Soweto: MEC Diale-Tlabela urges commuters to find alternative transport
Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has urged commuters in Soweto who rely on minibus taxis belonging to the Nancefield-Dube West Taxi Association (NANDUWE) and Witwatersrand Taxi Association (WATA) to make alternative transport arrangements from today, Monday, 08 April 2024.
MEC Diale-Tlabela, in terms of section 91 of the National Land Transport Act, is in the process of publishing a notice in the provincial gazette indicating her intention to close affected NANDUWE and WATA taxi ranks and routes in Soweto.
The decision was taken following the recent resurgence of violence between the two associations which also threatens the safety of passengers, residents and the general public.
The North Gauteng High Court, in 2020, ratified an agreement between Gauteng’s major taxi structures, the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance (GNTA) and the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO-Gauteng), giving the MEC powers to dissolve taxi associations involved in acts of violence.
“I am duty bound to ensure that public transport is safe and that the community is not forced to live under a stranglehold of violence. Public transport is there to make it easy for the commuting public to travel from home to work and back safely,” said MEC Diale-Tlabela.
As part of maintaining law and order in the affected areas, the MEC has deployed a joint operation spearheaded by Gauteng Department of Community Safety and Road Traffic Management Corporation officers. The teams have been on the ground since Friday and during their operations 47 vehicles have since been impounded, of these 26 belong to WATA and 21 to Nanduwe.
Law enforcement is keeping a close eye on operations in Soweto, specifically routes around Zone 9 between Central Western Jabavu and Orlando West.
The department has also noted, with concern, the discontinuation of public transport services in Zola, a route not affected by tensions between WATA and Nanduwe.
Commuters are advised to make use of alternative public transport services that include Metrorail, Rea Vaya and other bus services.
MEC Diale-Tlabela has acknowledged efforts by National Taxi Alliance’s leadership, the umbrella body of both associations, to foster peace and committed to work in bringing stability in the area.
For more information, please contact:
Department’s Head of Communications
Ms Melitah Madiba
Cell: 073 644 9935
MEC’s Spokesperson
Mr Lesiba Mpya
Cell: 078 450 9841
