THE ongoing tensions between taxi associations saw Somerset West’s CBD shut down yesterday.
Members of The City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Directorate and the South African Police Service were deployed to prevent further escalation in the dispute over routes between Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) and Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA).
The brewing taxi war has already left a trail of devastation, with an eight-year-old boy being wounded by a stray bullet on Saturday in Lwandle, Strand and a mass shooting at the Mfuleni taxi rank where four people died and three injured last Friday.
City traffic officials shored up road closures after taxis blocked some of the routes in the vicinity of the Public Transport Interchange and motorists were advised that Victoria Road between the N2 and Reitz Street were closed.
In videos shared by the public, people could be seen running as rubber bullets were dispersed as roads leading to the CBD were blocked.
The City’s Mayco Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith said more boots were placed on the ground to ensure calm and public safety.
He says: “The City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Directorate has increased its staffing numbers in Somerset West to help maintain calm, amid an increase in tensions between taxi organisations.
“We have deployed more officers across the various departments amidst the rising tension between the two biggest taxi organisations.
“Our priority is to keep commuters safe and assist the police in maintaining order. Road users and commuters are advised to take note of road closures and avoid the area where possible.
“We are hopeful that the issues can be resolved amicably, and that no further harm comes to anyone.”
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk said no serious incidents or arrests have yet been reported.
He confirms: “It needs mentioning that neighbouring police stations remain on high alert/standby as the situation is being monitored by forces on the ground who will maintain high visibility to ensure that the situation stabilises.”
On Friday, following the mass shooting in Mfuleni, Mandla Hermanus Chairperson of SANTACO (South African National Taxi Council) Western Cape called for “maximum restraint”.
Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) said they were outraged by the spate of violence.
In a statement they called on the Western Cape government to broker peace and a route sharing.
It read: “We believe that the failure to provide a robust regulatory framework has put our operators at very high risk. We demand that the Western Cape Government takes immediate action to address these challenges, but we need urgent action to prevent further loss of life.”
