No end in sight for Soweto taxi turf wars as deliberations continue

There appears to be no end in sight for the feud between Soweto taxi operators as one of the parties remains headstrong in the agreement on a proposed route plan. The Witwatersrand Taxi Association (Wata) and Nancefield Dube West Taxi Association  (Nanduwe) remain in talks for a way forward to end turf wars which resulted in Gauteng roads and transport MEC Ismail Vadi closing their ranks and routes for three months.

The National Taxi Alliance (NTA), which represents both associations, said they were working on a plan to ensure an end to the feud. NTA spokesperson Theo Malele said some progress was made, although one party was still to agree on the proposed operational plan.

“Once that has been done, we will then engage authorities on the way forward. We anticipate by midweek latest there should be some progress.”

This is in an attempt to persuade Vadi to lift the closure from two weeks ago. The closure of the taxi ranks is expected to last until June should taxi associations not find an amicable way forward.

A number of people have been killed with several wounded due to the ongoing turf wars. Earlier in March, taxi drivers blocked the Johannesburg CBD with taxi’s which resulted in Vadi announcing the closure of the taxi routes.

The Nanduwe and Wata routes being closed left many commuters stranded and forced to make alternative arrangements for travelling.

Vadi, however, said that such lawlessness in the taxi industry was intolerable and he called on taxi owners not to allow their drivers to engage in illegal actions.

He said commuters were advised to make use of alternative public transport such as the Metrorail train service or municipal and provincial buses such as the Putco and Rea Vaya services.

(Compiled by Gopolang Chawane, additional reporting by ANA)

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