Johannesburg - Gauteng transport MEC Ismail Vadi wants to shut down some of the province’s busiest taxi routes.
The reason is spiralling violence between rival factions that has led to the deaths of taxi owners and passengers.
But the MEC’s extraordinary measure to quell the unrest at a time of the year, when taxi owners make the most of their revenue, has been met with scorn from taxi operators.
Vadi published a notice of intent to shut down routes where the Vaal Wits Taxi Association (VWTA) operates from Palm Springs, Vereeniging, Orange Farm to Evaton in the Government Gazette.
The regulations are set to come into effect from December 22 until January 22, 2015.
The MEC said the affected routes were to be closed for operation of public road passenger services until further notice is given.
During this period, no person shall be allowed to undertake passenger road transport service on this route.
Vadi invited the affected people to submit their written requests for reasons as to why the regulations should not be promulgated before next Wednesday.
In August, three taxis from a rival association in Johannesburg ambushed a group of security guards hired by the VWTA to protect their route.
The association wanted to take over the Palm Springs to Johannesburg rank, and allegedly seized 22 taxis and intimidated anyone who was opposed to their actions. This resulted in a shootout at Palm Springs Mall that left four people dead.
VWTA secretary Petrus Tsotetsi yesterday reacted with shock and anger when contacted by the Saturday Star regarding the possible shutdown of his association’s routes.
He accused the Gauteng provincial government of failing to assist the association’s members to resolve many issues that have sparked violence and instead reacting only when people were killed.
“This is news to us – that government intends to shut down our business,” he said. “They [the government] have failed to help us repeatedly, (but) now the MEC thinks he can just close down our taxi ranks. It’s not right. We won’t take this issue lying down.”
He said the closure of the routes would affect more than 167 taxi owners, and this would leave them destitute during this time as many have financial obligations to repay loans for their vehicles.
Tsotetsi said there was no government office that the association’s leaders have not been to, seeking help – but to no avail.
He said that the association had done everything they could to ensure that there was stability in the routes where they operated but there were people who were not willing to abide by the law.
The association will consult its members on what to do regarding the MEC’s plans.
Saturday Star