Image: Daily Marverick
In an effort to reduce taxi violence in Soweto, the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport obtained an interdict against two feuding taxi associations.
The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg granted an urgent application for an interdict against the Witwatersrand African Taxi Owners Association (WATA) and the Nancefield Dube West Taxi Association on Sunday (Nanduwe).
The interdict forbids the chairs and members of both associations from “preventing, obstructing, or otherwise interfering with the rights of taxi operators and or any public transportation” operating between Soweto and the Johannesburg CBD.
“It also prohibits the associations from intimidating, committing, or threatening to commit acts of violence against any public transport operator or members of the public who use the bus services between Soweto and Johannesburg CBD,” Roads and Transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo said.On Saturday morning, four minibus taxis were set ablaze in what was thought to be another taxi violence outbreak.
On Sunday, Mamabolo met with the two taxi associations to try to reconcile their differences.
“All parties committed to the cessation of hostilities” at the meeting, Mamabolo said. He also stated that route negotiations would take place, and that additional meetings would be scheduled later in the week.
Following the meeting, the department requested an interdict from the court on an expedited basis.
“While we believe the situation has returned to normalcy,” Mamabolo said, “we urge law enforcement to enforce the law, hold criminals accountable, and ensure the safety of commuters and other road users.””We held positive consultations with both the leadership of WATA and Nanduwe, as well as their mother body structures, the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance and the South African National Taxi Council, respectively, and we are encouraged by the fact that all parties have condemned the violence and committed to peace,” he added.