Taxi routes closed amid violence and impoundments

SEVEN taxis were impounded and six seized for operating in violation of a Western Cape High Court order obtained by the provincial Mobility Department, while another was taken off the road for reckless driving as ten routes were closed in a bid to end bloodshed.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

The closure of 10 contentious taxi routes between Mfuleni, Khayelitsha, Nyanga, and Somerset West began yesterday morning with minimal disruption to commuters, despite concerns raised after a spate of taxi-related killings.

The closures follow six deaths linked to violent clashes last month between taxi rivals, the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) and the Congress Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta).

On Friday, Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku announced that the routes would be suspended for 30 days, or until both parties reach a mutually agreed-upon solution.

While the authorities said the situation was stable, some commuters were left inconvenienced.