Western Cape Transport MEC, Daylin Mitchell, is threatening to shut down some taxi ranks and routes – if violence continues in the Nyanga area.
A number of Golden Arrow buses and other vehicles were set alight in the area last week.
It’s understood that informal car-taxi drivers, popularly known as AMAPHELA , are behind the riots.
The operators are apparently unhappy their vehicles are being impounded by traffic law enforcement officers.
Mitchell says the situation is deteriorating to such an extent that the safety of commuters and residents in the area are at risk.
He says these unlawful actions cannot be condoned.
“I am in the process of consulting with other regulatory stakeholders and it may be necessary to declare the Nyanga area as high-risk, in respect of taxi violence. This will allow me to invoke my powers in terms of section 91 of the National Land Transport Act (Act no.5 of 2009), to close certain ranks and routes should the situation deteriorate any further. Other regulatory interventions are also being considered to stabilise the situation” – Daylin Mitchell, Western Cape Transport MEC
Image: Leon Lestrade
