TAXI VIOLENCE ESCALATES AS GOVERNMENT CLOSES ROUTES

Commuters brace for disruptions

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

ON THE eve of the closure of several taxi routes due to a decision made by the Western Cape government, bloodshed continues, as the former spokesperson of the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) was gunned down in Nyanga.

Last night, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) in the Western Cape said the abrupt decision was taken without adequate consultation or a clear alternative plan, severely impacting thousands of commuters and the working class. It called on Sileku to review his decision and to convene an urgent meeting with relevant stakeholders including to present a comprehensive and practical plan.

Government attempts to bring stability and a grip to ongoing taxi violence by closing affected routes today, between Somerset West, Makhaza, Mfuleni, and Nomzamo, saw blood being shed again this after former Cata public relations officer Andile Seyamo, 61, was shot and killed yesterday.