Tsakane Taxi Rank reopened

KwaThema – Tsakane Taxi Rank has been opened for public transport operations by the MEC of Transport in Gauteng, Ishmael Vadi, after it was shut down on Wednesday.

This was after the Greater Brakpan Taxi Association (GBTA), the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) Ekurhuleni Regional Council and representatives of the Concerned Group of Drivers jointly signed a peace agreement on Thursday evening.

This was in the presence of departmental officials and law enforcement personnel.

The GBTA and the concerned group were fighting over operational routes.

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport spokesperson Melitah Moloto says in terms of the joint declaration the parties have agreed to remove security guards at the rank.

“They agreed that the taxi rank will be a gun free zone.

“They made a commitment to end violence in the taxi industry in the area and adhere to the officially determined conditions of operating licences by taxi operators in the area,” she says.

Moloto added the Santaco Ekurhuleni Regional Council will be responsible for facilitating the peaceful resolution of any further operational disputes between the GBTA and the Concerned Group of Drivers.

“They are expected to report on progress in this regard to the Department of Roads and Transport within 30 days,” she says.

The MEC says the agreement is a “step in the right direction”.

“This creates the possibility for the normalisation of public transport services in Brakpan and Tsakane.

“Law enforcement agencies will continue to monitor the area,” he says.

The GBTA has apologised to the commuters and the Ekurhuleni community for the inconvenience, disruptions and loss of life caused as a result of the recent tragic events.

Four people were shot and killed leaving seven injured during a gunfight in Brakpan last week.