Minibus taxi services in Langa are expected to operate during Monday morning’s commute, despite the six-month suspension of the registration certificate held by the CATA Langa Inter-township Taxi Association.
The City of Cape Town has clarified that the administrative suspension does not affect commuters or operators who hold valid operating licences and route permits.
The restriction instead prevents the association from applying for new licences or routes, or renewing existing ones, during the suspension period.
The update, which was issued on Saturday, 31 October, comes as commuters prepare for the start of the working week amid ongoing tensions and regulatory action involving parts of the Western Cape taxi industry.
The suspension was imposed by the Provincial Taxi Registrar and applies to the association’s registration certificate for six months.
During this period, the association cannot submit applications for new operating licences or routes, nor can existing licences or routes be renewed until the suspension period has elapsed or the matter is reviewed.
The City has stressed that this does not amount to a blanket suspension of minibus taxi services in Langa. Operators with valid operating licences and route permits can continue operating, meaning commuters are not expected to lose access to these services as a result of the administrative decision.
Councillor Rob Quintas, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, said engagements with the taxi industry had confirmed that commuters could rely on minibus taxis for Monday morning’s journey.
Other public transport services are also expected to operate.
Meanwhile, the South African Police Service (SAPS), City enforcement teams and provincial safety services will maintain visibility and surveillance along various routes, at taxi ranks and at transport stations.
The deployment is intended to support commuter safety and monitor public transport activity as the week begins.
The distinction between an association’s registration status and the operating permits held by individual taxi operators is central to the update. While the association faces restrictions on new and renewed applications, licensed operators remain able to provide services.
The City says it will continue working with the relevant safety authorities to monitor routes, ranks and stations.
The update follows a series of developments involving the Western Cape taxi industry, as Cape {town} Etc previously reported on the temporary closure of Delft Public Transport Interchange on 29 October amid renewed tensions between CATA and CODETA, as well as the subsequent six-month suspension of the CATA Langa association’s registration certificate.
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Picture: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images
