Vadi closes five taxi ranks in Soweto
Murder, intimidation lead to drastic action
Gauteng MEC for roads and transport Ismail Vadi announced yesterday that he is closing down five taxi ranks in Soweto following a protracted route dispute between two warring associations in the township.
Vadi said the affected ranks and routes included Dube Station and Makhetha Garage (Phefeni) and Uncle Tom’s taxi ranks. He said the closure will take effect from tomorrow until August 13.
Other affected ranks and routes are Mofolo KwaMthethwa and Makhetha Stores informal taxi ranks.
April, three taxi owners who belonged to the Witwatersrand Taxi Association were gunned down at Mofolo’s KwaMthethwa informal taxi rank allegedly by the Nancefield Dube West Taxi Association.
“This comes after careful consideration of all representations received relating to the Notice of Intent to close minibus taxi ranks and related routes linked to both associations. “Circumstances warranting such extraordinary measures include violence, unrest or instability in any sector of the public transport industry in a declared area or between operators in an area; the safety of passengers using the relevant services or where the situation has deteriorated to an unacceptable level that closure of ranks and/or routes is required to normalise the situation,” Vadi said.
He said concrete and credible evidence that the violence, unrest and instability are of such high level to justify extraordinary measures.
“To date, law enforcement agencies are investigating at least 13 cases of murder, attempted murder, assault, damage to property and intimidation involving over 30 suspects and victims ...”