Western Cape government closes taxi routes amid escalating violence

THE Western Cape government has announced that several key taxi routes will be closed for 30 days from Wednesday, September 17, in response to escalating violence in the industry that has claimed multiple lives.

- XOLILE MTEMBU

Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said the provincial cabinet had invoked Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act, giving it powers to impose extraordinary measures.

"This empowers us to impose extraordinary measures in areas where violence, unrest, and instability in the public transport sector have placed lives at risk," he said.

The shutdown will affect major corridors, including the M18 from Mfuleni to Somerset West, Route 43 from Lwandle to Khayelitsha via Somerset West, Route 611 from Khayelitsha to Somerset West, and Route X19 between Nomzamo and Mfuleni.