Last week, 64 people were arrested by Western Cape Provincial Traffic officers on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. During the same period, 15 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in our province.
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Very recently, we have seen a spike in taxi related violence in the Province, and particularly in the City of Cape Town. Blood has been spilt mostly as a result of an apparent internal power struggle within mother body organizations. Nyanga taxi rank has become the very bloody scene of this ongoing battle.
In the wake of this scourge of violence within the industry, I called upon the Provincial Regulating Entity (PRE) to institute a section 7(a)(20) (of the Western Cape Road Transportation Act, Amendment Law, Act no. 8 of 1996) hearing with representatives from the taxi industry, to address this very serious issue. I attended the hearing on the 25th of July 2013, which was represented by; South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) national and regional representatives; representatives of over 150 taxi associations; as well as representatives from the City of Cape Town. The purpose of the hearing was to address taxi related violence and to sign a “non-violence” treaty amongst members and leaders of the industry. All were, and are, in agreement that the situation is unacceptable and highly condemnable as it threatens the stability of the industry, as well as the safety of the commuters whom the industry serves.
Representatives echoed our call for an end to this bloody and untenable situation. Calls were also made for strong South African Police Services (SAPS) action in effectively investigating, apprehending, and bringing to justice the perpetrators of these reprehensible acts. In the past year alone, over 30 alleged incidents of murder and attempted murder have been reported with no arrests. These inefficiencies do nothing to deter these criminals from committing these crimes and threatening the stability of this vital industry.
Following this morning’s walkabout at the Nyanga taxi rank, we will be approaching the City of Cape Town, and together explore the possibility of installing security cameras at the rank to aide effective policing and enforcement. Mr Victor Wiwi, Executive member of CATA, and I also heard concerns raised by commuters at the rank relating to; the need for more shelter at the rank; there not being enough taxis operating on particular routes, leading to long waits; and safety while commuting inside a taxi. These concerns were seconded by the commuters with whom I shared a taxi ride into the City centre, from Nyanga, this morning.
I am encouraged by the commitment to peace exhibited by SANTACO and the various representatives in the industry, however, for peace to truly be a realisation, there must be a commitment on the part of the industry to effectively resolve internal issues, with my Department’s continued support, and moreover on the part of SAPS to bring justice to those responsible for the violence.
Photographs attached courtesy of the Ministry of Transport and Public Works
Last week, 64 people were arrested by Western Cape Provincial Traffic officers on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. During the same period, 15 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in our province.
On Saturday, 23 March 2024, the Western Cape Government (WCG) officially launched our Easter road safety campaign for 2024.
The Western Cape Government is offering FREE ten-point vehicle checks by qualified examiners from Saturday, 23 March to Thursday, 28 March at venues in Cape Town and Drakenstein.
It is with great sadness that I extend my condolences to the loved ones of the ten people – seven adults and three children – who died in a road crash on the N7 between Vanrhynsdorp and Klawer on Sunday 17 March 2024.