Discussions between officials from the Department of Transport and leaders of Cape Towns’ taxi associations are still ongoing on Monday, August 2.
This comes after the bloody taxi war over routes which have claimed the lives of more than 80 people since the beginning of the year.
ENGAGEMENTS CONTINUE: The safety of commuters remains the paramount and overarching priority of whichever outcome of the current processes and is a non-negotiable. The long-term solution should assist us in providing a safe service for the commuters in the Cape. pic.twitter.com/RgPpqNX7D6
— |Mr Fix (@MbalulaFikile) August 2, 2021
It is alleged that the B97 route between Mbekweni in Paarl and Bellville is what fueled the friction between the two main taxi associations, Cata and Codeta. The MEC for Transport Daylin Mitchell has in the meantime closed this route for two months as the local and national governments look for ways to prevent these killings.
Meanwhile, parents from the areas affected by taxi violence have pleaded with two taxi bosses to find a solution as their children are forced to stay at home, IOL reported.
Parents of learners in Nyanga, Gugulethu, Langa, Khayaletsha appealing to Taxi Bosses to allow scholar transport.
Communities appealing to Taxi Bosses to stop endangering all.
Government appealing to Taxi Bosses to stop the violence
LE appealing to Taxi Bosses to negotiate— SolisCorner (@SoliPhilander) August 2, 2021
The Western Cape Government also indicated that the province’s average conviction rate for tax-related crimes stands at 5.3%. It is reported that out of the 168 arrests made in connection to taxi violence, only 9 cases have resulted in convictions since 2018.
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Picture: Twitter/ @MbalulaFikile