MEC Vadi to Issue Notice of Intent to close NANDUWE and WATA Taxi Ranks and Routes
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, today announced that in terms of section 91 of the National Land Transport Act, he will publish a notice in the provincial gazette tomorrow indicating his intention to close affected NANDUWE and WATA taxi ranks and routes in Soweto.
The factors that warrant such urgent action are violence, unrest or instability in the public transport sector in an area, which threaten the safety of passengers, residents or other persons.
This extraordinary measure follows the recent resurgence of violence among the two associations. The measures will also apply to any joint venture arrangements agreed upon by the affected associations.
Vadi said that he has received reports of the following acts of violence and intimidation along the affected routes:
- the murder of Mr S B Hadebe (a WATA member) in January 2019;
- the murder of WATA Treasurer, Mr SM Zwane, on 21 January 2019;
- the murder of WATA Vice-Chairperson, Mr MT Ngubane, on 29 January 2019;
- attacks on several minibus taxis between 23-25 February 2019 in Diepkloof;
- disruption of minibus taxi operations by armed men on 1 March 2019; and
- attacks on minibus taxis on 5 March 2019, which left six people being shot and 10 vehicles being damaged.
“The Gauteng provincial government will not allow a situation where allegedly hitmen have been hired to attack taxi leaders, commuters and taxi operators with impunity and members of rival associations allegedly attack one another and damage vehicles,” said Vadi.
“Ordinary Soweto commuters and residents are being intimidated and harmed by this violence. We are clear that the law enforcement agencies will come down hard on those who perpetrate acts of violence in the taxi industry,” Vadi said.
In terms of the proposed notice affected and interested persons are requested to submit their written responses or representations to the notice before 12pm on 8 March 2019.
Depending on the outcome of representations made to Vadi, the affected taxi routes might be closed for public road passenger services for the next three months.
If Vadi proceeds with the intended closures taxi services along the affected routes in Soweto will be suspended from 9 March 2019 until 8 June 2019. During this period, no person shall be allowed to undertake passenger road transport services at the affected ranks and on the identified routes.
Vadi had previously closed the rank for one month in July 2017. The rank and routes were re-opened after WATA and NANDUWE had signed an agreement to abide by their operating licenses and to desist from acts of violence and intimidation.
Enquiries:
Melitah Madiba
Cell: 073 644 9935 or
E-mail: pressoffice.gpdrt@gauteng.gov.za
