News24 reports that the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) has approached the Western Cape High Court to have the provincial government’s 30-day temporary closure of taxi routes between Khayelitsha, Mfuleni and Somerset West set aside.
Codeta claims that for weeks now, its members have not been involved in violence. Six taxis were impounded on Wednesday morning as the closure came into effect. The closures follow weeks of deadly violence between rival associations over contested routes in the affected areas. With taxis off the road, buses have been deployed to assist commuters, but many passengers complained that the alternative has left them late due to longer routes and delays. Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith stated: “At this stage, our teams have reported that the Khayelitsha, Somerset West and Mfuleni taxi ranks are not operating as per the closure and we continue to monitor these and other various locations.” On Tuesday, former CATA spokesperson and executive member, Andile Soyamo, was killed in Nyanga. According to a police spokesperson, gunmen opened fire on Soyamo in Dlepu Street after he left home.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Velani Ludidi at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
- Read too, Commuters scramble as 30-day taxi shutdown begins, at GroundUp
And also, CATA shaken after taxi executive gunned down in Nyanga, at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
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