WESTERN Cape taxi industry holds summit to address ongoing violence.
The summit was held in Cape Town on Monday, 4 August.
The one-day gathering brought together key industry leaders including Santaco Western Cape chairman Mandla Hermanus and Mark Kriker from the Western Cape Regulatory Entity in the Department of Mobility.
The summit focused on the root causes of violence in the industry, with leaders identifying several key challenges that continue to threaten safety and stability:
Floor crossing
One major issue is when operators leave one association to join another but retain permits linked to routes controlled by their previous association. This creates confusion and territorial disputes that often lead to violent clashes.
Gangster infiltration
Hermanus raised concerns about the lack of background checks when new members join associations. He explained that some people use proceeds from criminal activities to buy taxis such as Toyota Quantums, which cost more than R500 000.
"These people come from gangs involved in armed robberies and cash-in-transit heists. We later find ourselves sitting with dangerous individuals. As leaders, we want to serve, but we also want to live," said Hermanus.
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Government permit failures
Disputes also arise from government-issued permits that allow multiple associations to operate on the same route under different conditions. A recent deadly conflict between Codeta and Cata was cited as an example, where unclear permit conditions contributed to the violence. Taxi leaders called for better permit regulation to prevent future conflict.
Fake permits
The presence of counterfeit permits allows unregistered taxis to operate on popular routes, creating overcrowding and competition. This often results in violent altercations between legitimate and illegitimate operators.
Financial control and power struggles
Hermanus highlighted internal power struggles over control of association funds. "Executives fight for positions because money equals power. Once someone controls the finances, they instill fear and eliminate opposition," he said.
Unregulated financing and independent operators
Some individuals purchase taxis on hire-purchase agreements without meeting regulatory requirements, such as having operating permits or being part of an association. To repay loans, they illegally operate on established routes, clashing with licensed operators.
"When they're denied entry into associations, some resort to violence, even killing chairpersons who stand in their way," said Hermanus.
The summit concluded with a commitment from the industry to work with government to address these challenges and improve safety for commuters and operators alike.
