Cape Town – Amid a surge in taxi violence and killings in recent months, Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has threatened to invoke the National Land Transport Act to curb the escalating crisis.
The move comes after a statement from SAPS on Monday confirming the fatal shooting of three taxi marshals in Mofolo, Soweto. While authorities suspect the incident is linked to an ongoing taxi war, no arrests have been made.
Condemning the violence, Diale-Tlabela said: “Violence has no place on our roads. Lives are being lost, families shattered, and communities destabilised. We are working with law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice. The safety of commuters and transport workers remains our top priority.”
According to EWN, Lorcia Ngwenya, a concerned resident, said: “We are affected by the taxi violence. You know, some of the people are widows, some of the children are orphans, and it affects us as the community.”
On Wednesday, Diale-Tlabela engaged with Women in Public Transport to address industry-related concerns. Discussions focused on increasing female representation in the sector, providing business administration support, and identifying solutions to curb taxi violence.
During the engagement, Diale-Tlabela announced plans to implement Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act (Act No. 5 of 2009), empowering the MEC to take measures in areas affected by violence, unrest, or instability. These measures include revoking taxi licenses, shutting down routes, and closing taxi ranks to restore order and protect civilians.
As reported by The Citizen, Diale-Tlabela affirmed the department’s commitment to working with law enforcement and “ensure that those responsible for these heinous acts are identified, apprehended and brought to justice”.
“We remain committed to restoring calm and ensuring that Gauteng’s transport system remains safe, reliable and free from intimidation or violence.”
She also urged public transport operators to use the platforms established by the department to resolve disputes and concerns.
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Picture: Facebook/Gauteng Roads and Transport Department
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Compiled by Anda Tolibadi
