A crowd of taxi drivers and operators besieged the Western Cape transport ministry building on Tuesday to protest against a proclamation closing several violence-wracked taxi routes.
The proclamation, in effect since midnight on Monday, was issued by provincial transport minister Mcebisi Skwatsha after months of shootings between rivals the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) and the Congress of Democratic Taxi Associations (Codeta).
Skwatsha’s proclamation means taxi ranks in Bellville, Kraaifontein and Brackenfell are closed for 30 days, with operators’ licences also suspended during that period.
On Tuesday, as the first effects of the proclamation bit, placard-bearing operators from Cata converged on Skwatsha’s offices, forcing road closures between Leeuwen and Long streets as armed police cordoned off the entrance.
Cata president Centani Alfred Maseti did not want to reveal the contents of a document discussed between Cata and Skwatsha to reporters, saying it will remain confidential until clarity on the situation is obtained.
Maseti urged Skwatsha to stop others from taking over Cata ranks, saying his association has had permits to operate since 1996.
”We worked 11 years without any problem,” he said, alleging that Codeta started the latest round of violence by not honouring agreements to use the Bellville interchange, and has instead been transporting commuters directly to their destinations.
He said the root of the present unrest is the recently completed Cape Gate mall near Kraaifontein.
Maseti said Codeta does not respect the law.
”They have their own law,” he said.
He said Cata wants Minister of Transport Jeff Radebe to intervene. Maseti promised that his association will not shoot anybody in revenge for the four Cata drivers who have been shot and killed in recent months.
”I am a [peaceful] man and don’t want violence in the Western Cape,” he said.
Attempts to get hold of Temba Nobatana, Skwatsha’s spokesperson, were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Codeta’s lawyer, Celeste Holmes, said Skwatsha has not informed the organisation about the closures — orally or in writing.
”The first my client’s heard about it was on TV.”
She said the Khayelitsha community has approached Codeta to ask for direct transport to the Cape Gate mall. This direct transport and return journey will cost R14, down from the R27 if commuters use the interchange.
Holmes said that at the Bellville interchange, Codeta and Cata are supposed to have 15 loading zones each. However, in 2003, Cata ”took over” another seven zones and attempts to get the provincial government to look into the matter failed.
Holmes said Cata also refuses to allow Codeta taxis to pick up commuters on their way to Kraaifontein, threatening passengers and shooting at drivers. – Sapa