FINAL DESTINATION

TAXI violence over the Khayelitsha-Somerset West Route continues to spiral despite marathon talks and a court interdict.

Rival associations Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) and Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) are still deadlocked over control of the contested routes.

The Western Cape Mobility Department confirmed that the associations have been given until Monday to propose a resolution.

Cata spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi rejected a proposal that would see Codeta operate the Khayelitsha–Somerset West route exclusively.

“We are not agreeing on Cata being pushed out of the Khayelitsha–Somerset West,” he said.

“The proposal that Codeta should drive to and from Somerset West and our members who have been operating there must now be excluded will not work for us. We don’t mind sharing the route as we have said before.”

Codeta chairperson Nceba Enge said his organisation was still consulting.

“We will meet with the MEC [Isaac Sileku] on Monday and give him feedback on the meeting, even though we are still deadlocked. We have been clear about what we want, and it is to return with our passengers from Somerset West,” Enge said.

The talks occurred against a grim backdrop.

SAPS constable Desmond Mandlevu was shot and killed on Thursday morning, prompting Sileku to issue a warning that violence was escalating even as the government continued to mediate.

Another man was shot and killed in Lwandle, Strand on Sunday.

The Western Cape High Court had already stepped in on 28 August, issuing an interim order against both associations and their members.

The order bars them from interfering with transport services, intimidating operators, or disregarding licence conditions on routes including 611, 43, M18, and X19, as well as at Somerset West Mall and the public transport interchange.

The associations must show by 9 October why the order should not be made final. A 3 September hearing was postponed to 11 September, leaving the order binding and enforceable in the meantime.

In parallel, the department has issued a Notice of Intent under Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act, signalling its readiness to close the contested routes altogether should the violence continue. Section 91 gives the province the power to suspend operations in the interest of public safety.

The latest shooting in Lwandle and Mandlevu’s killing has deepened fears among residents who rely heavily on minibus taxis.

Those fears were heightened again on Friday evening when gunmen opened fire at the Nyanga taxi rank.

Western Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie confirmed two men were injured when a disciplinary officer and bodyguards were ambushed.