Gauteng MEC for Road and Transport, Ismail Vadi, today announced that he intends extending on Monday, 14 August 2017, the notice closing the five taxi ranks and routes linked to violence, unrest and instability in Soweto for a further three months.
“I intend to extend the extraordinary measures instituted on 13 July, which are aimed at stabilising public transport services in Soweto, for a further three months as there is no agreement between the two associations aimed at normalising the situation," said Vadi.
The affected taxi ranks and routes were shut down by Vadi in mid-July due to on-going violent conflicts between Witwatersrand African Taxi Association (WATA) and the Nancefield Dube West Taxi Association (NANDUWE), which negatively affected thousands of commuters.
Vadi said that he has not received any assurances from the leadership of the two taxi bodies about restoring peaceful operations in the area.
Vadi had insisted that there be:
- An immediate removal of armed security companies on all taxi routes and ranks allocated to the two Associations;
- A commitment to end all forms of violence and intimidation;
- An agreement that the two associations will conduct their taxi operations in terms of the provisions and conditions provided in our respective (original) Operating Licenses until the appeal by WATA is adjudicated upon by the Transport Appeals Tribunal nationally;
- Taxi operators affiliated to NANDUWE and WATA put visible stickers that are different from each other to distinguish them for law enforcement purposes.
The two associations are unable to agree to these conditions which urgently warrant consideration to extend notice of suspension of minibuses on the affected routes.
For more information please contact:
Melitah Madiba
Cell: 073 644 9935
E-mail: melitah.madiba@gauteng.gov.za
