News24 reports that the Western Cape government has temporarily closed several taxi ranks and routes at the centre of the ongoing conflict in the industry.
This follows weeks of deadly violence. From Wednesday, 17 September, nine routes and specified lanes at taxi ranks in Khayelitsha, Makhaza, Mfuleni, Somerset West, Nomzamo, and Lwandle will be shut for 30 days (affected routes listed in report). On Friday, Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku announced that the provincial government was invoking Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act after a Cabinet decision earlier in the day. This provision allows for extraordinary measures in the public transport sector when instability and violence threaten lives.
The announcement followed the killing of CATA deputy chairperson Mnikeli Mgope, who was gunned down at the Nyanga taxi rank on Wednesday night while seated in his vehicle. The 61-year-old’s murder followed weeks of bloodshed in which six people were killed between 23 and 26 August, and an off-duty police officer and taxi operator were shot dead on 4 September.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Velani Ludidi at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
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