Feuding taxi associations finally agree to ceasefire in Gauteng

The Gauteng taxi industry has agreed to a ceasefire following long-standing violence between associations. The truce was facilitated by the provincial department of Roads and Transport.

For years, the Witwatersrand African Taxi Association (WATA) and the Nancefield Dube West Taxi Association (NANDUWE) have been in conflict over routes. This year alone, at least 59 people have died as a result of taxi-related violence.

The Gauteng National Taxi Alliance and the South African National Taxi Council met with Gauteng MEC for Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela on Friday to try to find a common ground to the violence plaguing the taxi industry.

Community Safety and Transport committees have called on police to intensify their operation to fight taxi violence.

Chairperson of the portfolio committee on community safety Bandile Masuku explains, “We urge taxi associations to honor the ceasefire and engage in good faith, commuters and communities to report threats to law enforcement, and all stakeholders to work collectively toward a safer, conflict-free transport sector. This agreement marks a turning point in Gauteng’s fight against taxi violence. The committees remain committed to overseeing their enforcement and ensuring that the province’s public transport system operates safely, efficiently and peacefully for all.”