Joint media release
- Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works, Daylin Mitchell,
- SA National Taxi Council (SANTACO),
- Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA), and
- Congress of Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA)
Western Cape Transport and Public Works Minister, Daylin Mitchell, today convened an urgent meeting with the SA National Taxi Council (SANTACO), the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA), the Congress of Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) and senior Government Officials to address the current state of taxi violence and disruptions that has been plaguing the Western Cape.
The urgent meeting follows a conflict between rival taxi ‘motherbodies’, CATA and CODETA yesterday, which saw the killing of eight taxi operators in separate incidents across the City of Cape Town.
In a forthright but constructive problem-solving meeting this afternoon, the parties agreed to the following:
- CATA and CODETA committed to ensure that taxi transport operations will be fully functional as from Friday, 09 July 2021;
- A pledge for peace that secures lives and livelihoods will be signed by both CATA and CODETA as a public acknowledgement of their commitment to peaceful engagements and to ensuring a safe and reliable transport system;
- CATA and CODETA committed to revert to their constituencies and leadership to find options in order to resolve the issue of routes in Paarl in the interim while awaiting the outcome of the arbitration process which is already underway. Minister Mitchell undertook that Government expedite the outcome of this arbitration process;
- Both CATA and CODETA, agreed to an immediate ceasefire and stopping of all forms of violence and destabilisation;
- Government tabled administrative and regulatory sanctions that will be in effect until peace and stability have been ensured by both CATA and CODETA;
- The Special Regulatory Programme process facilitated by the City of Cape Town, will be placed on hold until sustained peace is achieved.
While we want to restore peace and calm, we will not compromise on the rule of law and the safety of commuters.
The murderers and criminals must be brought to justice. I urge the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in their investigation.
Media Queries:
Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka
Spokesperson for Minister Daylin Mitchell
Cell: 082 953 0026
Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za