In an attempt to quell violence, the Western Cape transport department will close certain taxi ranks and routes in the Cape Town area from 4pm on Monday.
”It’s certain that they are going to be closed, there’s no two ways about it,” transport MEC Mcebisi Skwatsha’s spokesperson Themba Nobatana said.
The measure follows unsuccessful attempts at resolving a dispute between the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association and the Congress of Democratic Taxi Associations over routes in Kraaifontein, Brackenfell and Bellville.
At least three people have died in shootings related to the dispute.
Skwatsha’s department subsequently decided to suspend permits applicable to the disputed routes in order to stop operations completely.
Nobatana said members of the public and interested parties had until 4pm to make representations to the MEC’s office as to why the ranks should not be closed.
Skwatsha’s office was making sure on Monday morning that all legal requirements for the closure were met. These included publishing his intentions to use ”extraordinary measures” in the Government Gazette and in newspapers.
The ranks could stay closed for 30 days.
Nobatana said commuters could use alternative modes of transport such as buses and trains.
If the situation had not improved after 30 days, the MEC could issue another proclamation renewing the closure, Nobatana said. – Sapa