Media Release by Daylin Mitchell, Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works
Conflict between rival taxi ‘motherbodies’, CATA and Codeta cost the lives of seven taxi operators in separate incidents throughout the City of Cape Town this morning.
This brings the total number of taxi related murders in the Western Cape to 71 since the start of the calendar year, with attempted murders and injuries at 33 over the same period.
Officials from my Department, Transport and Public Works, together with officials from the Department of Community Safety, are currently attending an emergency meeting of the Transport Priority Committee with the SAPS and other enforcement and Intelligence authorities, to agree on an integrated Government approach to restore calm and to bring the perpetrators of the violence to book.
I must emphasize that the Western Cape Government will not compromise on the rule of law and my Department is working closely with the SAPS as they continue with their investigations into the murders and other taxi related crimes in Cape Town and other parts of the province.
I have also called the leadership of the SA National Taxi Council (SANTACO), the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and the Congress of Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) to an urgent meeting where we will discuss interventions to stem the growing tide of violence between associations affiliated to the two motherbodies – with specific focus on violence associated with the fight for control over routes.
Since I was appointed the Minister of Transport and Public Works in May, I have been working tirelessly to restore dignity and safety to the public transport system. In working towards this objective, I have asked my officials to engage in a process to uncover the root causes behind the violent conflict and to engage all stakeholders before making recommendations towards a lasting peace and solution to conflict.
We will continue to work to ensure the rule of law will not be compromised. The Department of Transport and Public Works has established a sound working relationship with the SAPS, Traffic authorities, the National Prosecuting Authority and SARS to identify and address the root causes of taxi violence and murder; including illegal operations, route invasions, ineffective legislation and simple greed on the part of self-styled war-lords and gatekeepers in the minibus taxi industry. Acts of lawlessness, violence and murder must be met with strong enforcement and criminal prosecution.
My department and I will ensure that the safety of commuters is at all times prioritised.
We call on the SAPS and enforcement authorities to bring the murderers and perpetrators of the violence to book as soon as possible.
Media Queries:
Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka
Spokesperson for Minister Daylin Mitchell
Cell: 082 953 0026
Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za