Major taxi shutdown warning in South Africa’s economic hub

Gauteng Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has announced her department’s intention to close taxi ranks for six months to combat the high incidence of taxi violence in the province.

In March alone, 30 people have reportedly died in taxi-related violence in the province over disputed routes by rival taxis. Since January, 59 people have been killed in these conflicts.

Speaking in an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Diale-Tlabela noted that the violence is escalating at an alarming rate. 

She noted that the violence is widespread and affects areas including Mamelodi, the northern parts of Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, and the West Rand.

Despite the ongoing violence, Diale-Tlabela expressed frustration that arrests have been rare. “What is surprising to us is that the killings are continuing, but no one gets arrested,” she said. 

She confirmed that the provincial government is working closely with law enforcement through a special committee that meets twice a month to address taxi violence but admitted that progress has been slow.

Because of this, Diale-Tlabela noted that the ongoing violence has left the department with little choice but to close the ranks in the province to force the industry to address the problem. 

Diale-Tlabela said they had already begun consultations with affected parties under Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act (NLTA). 

“What the Act allows us to do is to pronounce the intention, and after you pronounce the intention, you engage in consultations with the affected parties, which are the associations themselves,” she explained.

She emphasised that the latest wave of killings had forced the provincial government to take even firmer action.

“The agreement we have is to close the ranks, and not only close them for a week or two weeks but to close them for six months and make sure that we come to the end of this.”

Diale-Tlabela further noted that previous attempts by the department to shut down taxi operations have often forced rival groups to come to the negotiating table. 

“Every time there’s that intention to close the taxi ranks, they all rush to the table and want to speak, and this is what we want,” she said. 

Taxi industry believes they are above the law

Speaking in a separate interview, Gauteng Community Safety Portfolio Committee chairperson Bandile Masuku expressed concern over the attitude of some in the taxi industry.

He said that the majority of players within taxi associations act with impunity and as if they’re above the law.

Masuku highlighted an incident in Katlehong, where 11 taxi operators where killed over route disputes involving the Zoniza Taxi Association (ZOTA).

He explained that ZOTA is operating illegally because it is not recognised as a formal association and doesn’t meet the minimum requirements to be a taxi association.

Masuku called for stronger law enforcement. “Law enforcement must come through in this matter to make sure that that taxi association and their vehicles are taken off the streets.” 

Masuku acknowledged that enforcement remains a significant problem, worsened by allegations that some police officers themselves are involved in the taxi industry. 

“We have heard that, and it’s one of the issues that we are going to raise with Premier Panyaza Lesufi,” he said. 

Despite this, he added that the committee would push for the establishment of a specialised police unit dedicated to tackling tax-related crimes.

He also noted that the committee had raised this with the provincial police commissioner and that a report outlining a plan to address the violence is expected soon.

Masuku acknowledged that while taxi violence has been an ongoing challenge, there are ways to resolve it.

This includes the intention to shut down taxi ranks, which should bring the parties to the table to resolve the issues. 

“The Gauteng MEC for Transport should mediate and regulate the sector to ensure that citizens are transported safely across the province,” he said.

The Committee believes that the people of Gauteng deserve safe and reliable transport, free from violence and intimidation and will continue to monitor the situation.