Cape Town’s traffic and city police will apply the full force of the law in dealing with taxi violence, councillor Danile Landingwe said on Thursday.
Landingwe said the city will take a ”zero tolerance” stance, following meetings with representatives from taxi organisations Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) and the Congress of Democratic Taxi Associations (Codeta) this week to discuss outbreaks of violence in the industry.
Landingwe, who is the mayoral committee member responsible for transport, was responding to allegations of stone throwing and gunfire.
”Opposition” taxis are also said to be captured and money extorted for their release.
”The use of force, intimidation and extortion would not be tolerated under any circumstances,” said Landingwe in a statement, adding that the council’s law-enforcement arm will be given his full support in implementing taxi regulations and common law.
He pointed out that Cata and Codeta had reached an agreement over ranks and routes in 1996, following a High Court ruling.
The agreement was comprehensive and dealt with every route and rank in the city. Where circumstances have changed, there were clearly laid-out processes to resolve differences.
The city has also established a taxi office in Athlone where meetings can take place and where conflicts can be amicably resolved. — Sapa