The National Taxi Alliance said on Wednesday that it would be convening a series of meetings in an effort to broker peace with warring associations in Soweto.
This comes after the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport on Tuesday announced the closure of disputed taxi ranks and routes in Soweto following months of intimidation and violence.
Transport MEC Ismail Vadi published Regulations in the Provincial Gazette invoking the extraordinary measures in declared areas to close ranks and related routes operated by the Nancefield Dube West Taxi Association (Nanduwe) and Witwatersrand Taxi Association (Wata) in Soweto.
The affected ranks and routes, which will be closed for a month from Thursday this week until 13 August, include the Mofolo Kwa-Mthethwa informal taxi rank, the Makhetha stores informal taxi rank, the Dube Station taxi rank, Makhetha garage taxi rank in Phefeni, and Uncle Tom’s taxi rank.
Vadi said that taxi associations found to contravene the regulation would face a maximum six month prison term or a R25,000 fine.
National Taxi Alliance spokesperson, Theo Malele, said the organisation had noted the sweeping statement made by Vadi to close the disputed ranks and routes in Soweto as a result of the ongoing violence that had claimed a number o lives.
“We are sincerely touched by these barbaric acts and profusely apologise to all affected members of society and also pass our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” Malele said in a statement.
“Our members (the two affected associations) are reminded to respect the GPRE (Gauteng Provincial Regulatory Entity) ruling as law. Even though the one association has lodged an appeal but law and order must be upheld.”
Nanduwe and rivals Wata have been at loggerheads for over a year. At times the conflict has become violent, resulting in the loss of lives and interruption of commuter services.
Malele said the executives of both associations and structures would be meeting on Thursday morning at Derek Masoek Conference Centre in Johannesburg, while the second round of engagement would be at the the same venue for all general members of the associations at noon.
“We trust that both associations and the entire leadership will appreciate the seriousness of this conflict as it affects the commuting public and the residents in general and further tarnishes the already dented image of the only black owned and controlled association,” Malele said.
“We are optimistic that this meeting may yield positive results.”
– African News Agency (ANA)
