Amid the closure of several mini-bus taxi routes in the Cape Town metro, the Western Cape government has announced that Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) and Metrorail will provide alternative transport options during this period. Starting tomorrow, routes and lanes in Mfuleni, Somerset West, Khayelitsha, Nomzamo, and Lwandle will be closed for 30 days in response to escalating taxi-related violence that has claimed the lives of at least eight individuals.
The decision comes as part of a controversial agreement aimed at stabilising a bloody dispute between rival taxi associations, namely the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta), over the key Somerset West-Khayelitsha corridor. Commuters in these areas will have to seek alternative means of transportation, leading to significant disruption for thousands relying on the mini-bus taxi system.
“It is important to note that taxi ranks and roads will not be closed. Only the affected routes directly linked to the ongoing instability will be suspended,” a government spokesperson clarified.
To enforce these extraordinary measures, the South African Police Service (SAPS), City of Cape Town Law Enforcement, and Provincial Traffic officers will be deployed. The department warned that operators who continue to run the closed routes will face fines of up to R5,000 or imprisonment for up to six months.
The Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku acknowledged the gravity of the decision. “This was not an easy decision, but it is one that had to be taken to protect the lives of commuters and residents. The safety of our communities is our top priority. While extraordinary measures are in place, we will continue to engage with CATA and Codeta to work towards a sustainable resolution and long-term peace in the mini-bus taxi industry.”
In a statement, the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) expressed mixed feelings over the closure. “We receive this decision with both sadness and understanding. Sadness because of the long-lasting impact it will have on the livelihoods of taxi operators and their families, as well as the businesses that sustain our industry. At the same time, we understand that the measure was taken in the interest of protecting lives, amid mounting violence and instability linked to our sector.”
The City’s Safety and Security Directorate announced the establishment of a Joint Operations Centre to monitor the chaos surrounding taxi routes in Somerset West and neighbouring areas. Affected routes now closed for 30 days include:
- 611 Khayelitsha – Somerset West
- 43 Lwandle – Khayelitsha
- M18 Mfuleni – Somerset West
- X19 Nomzamo – Mfuleni
- AA20 Khayelitsha – Somerset West CBD via Vergelegen Medical Clinic
- AA21 Khayelitsha – Sitari Village Mall
- R96 Khayelitsha – Somerset West via Somerset Mall
- R97 Khayelitsha – Waterstone Mall – Somerset West
- YEX63 Mfuleni – Somerset West
- YEX64 Mfuleni – Strand via Somerset West
Additionally, the closures will also affect taxi ranks, including Lane 1 at Khayelitsha (Nonkqubela & Makhaza), Lane 1 at Mfuleni (new & old facilities), Lane 2 at Somerset West Interchange, Lane 4 at Nomzamo taxi rank, and Lane 4 at Lwandle taxi rank.