Five taxi ranks closed in Soweto

Five taxi ranks affiliated to the Nancefield Dube West Taxi Association (NANDUWE) and Witwatersrand Taxi Association (WATA) have been closed.

Mofolo Kwa-Mthethwa Informal Taxi Rank (WATA), Makhetha Store Informal Taxi Rank, Dube Taxi Rank, Makhetha Garage (Phefeni) and Uncle Tom’s Taxi Rank have all been affected by these developments.

The closure of the ranks was announced on Tuesday following a dispute between the two taxi associations that has been ongoing for months.

Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi said they had to take this to save the lives of innocent people who may be caught in the crossfire as the war between the rival associations intensifies.

“Recently two innocent people were shot dead. “30 people were arrested and are linked to both
associations.

“Law enforcement agencies are investigating at least 13 murder cases. If you pinch the pocket it hurts most,” said Vadi.

Vadi said that this decision was taken after heavily armed men linked to both associations clashed in the presence of law enforcement officers.

“They unlawfully blocked the road in the Johannesburg Central Business District. The closure of the affected routes will commence on July 13 to August 13.

“We tried to ensure peace amongst the association but it fell on deaf ears,” said Vadi

Vadi quoted the provision of section 91 of the National Land Transport Act 5 of 2009 which sets out the basis on which particular ranks and routes in an area may be closed by the MEC responsible for public transport.

“I understand that this will affect the commuters but we urge them to use other forms of transport such as Metro buses and the Rea Vaya service,” he said.

Gauteng MEC for of Public Safety, Sizakele Malobane-Nkosi said the team will be monitoring the five areas to make sure that no vehicles from WATA or NANDUWE are operating.

“We will also be engaging with our communities on one of the taxi ranks.

“We will be in White City to make a public announcement and to notify them to find other forms of transport.

“It’s better to be on the safe side than to be killed, we have lost innocent members in the community,” said Malobane- Nkosi.

Malobane- Nkosi said they have been patient with the associations from November 2016 until this year in efforts to broker a peace agreement between the two rival taxi associations.

“They were not willing to work together as business people and we had to resort to this particular action. “We will make sure that anyone who tries his luck will meet the law.

“It’s time we taught them the lesson that no-one has the right to use any rifle in public spaces. Even the police are not allowed to discharge those rifles,” Malobane-Nkosi.

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