Cape Town - A route, launched by the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) has caused a stir in the Atlantis region.
The celebration took place last Saturday but by Monday there was a war brewing with Cape Amalgamated Taxi Alliance which previously had the monopoly in the area.
Cata’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi said: “We had been in the Atlantis region for many years and then we saw Codeta launch their association as if we weren’t there.
“Why would you want to build a house on top of another person’s home?
“The worst part is that they didn’t call us into a meeting to help us understand what they were trying to do.
“We are talking about people who don’t even have operating licences.”
Codeta’s spokesperson Makhosandile Tumana said they were approached by operators in 2019.
“We were approached by people who said they wanted to join Codeta in Atlantis. We asked about the other associations but they said they did not belong to Cata, and that was in 2019. “Then Covid-19 disturbed that process and they came back this year and we obliged and launched.
“We have tried to speak to Cata leadership but they were not available, so we will try to speak to them again so we can avoid any fights.”
Safety and Security Mayco member JP Smith said last week their departments received ‘intel’ of a pending taxi conflict in the Atlantis area.
“The Witsand Taxi Association, a member of Cata, currently holds operating licenses that allow for services on the route between Bellville,
Saxonworld and Witsand, of Atlantis.
“In Blaauwberg, other unregistered operators are seeking to operate unlawfully in the Atlantis area, a practice commonly referred to as ‘pirate taxis’.
“Witsand Taxi Association belongs to Cata, while Blaauwberg rivals have recently joined Codeta, and established holdings within the Atlantis area. Such operations are unlawful, as no Operating License can be granted for operating along a designated MyCiti bus route.
It is not uncommon for violence to occur between rival groups as they compete for territory, often sadly with the commuters themselves becoming victims,” Smith elaborated.
“The directorate deployed multiple resources – along with SAPS – into the area this week amidst threats of violence. Several public transport vehicles were impounded for operating without the necessary permits, and with tension still running high, operations continued under a heavy police presence.”
Smith added where drivers operate on unauthorised routes, “authorised” operators sometimes retaliate with violent conflict in an effort to protect their routes, as was seen on the B97 route between Bellville and Paarl in 2021.
“During the violent conflict, this route was suspended for 18 months, before being reopened and public transport activities reinstated. While the City does not have the authority to consider or award Operating Licenses, it does have the obligation under the Constitution to enforce traffic regulations. Ensuring the safety of commuters and the public, therefore becomes our top priority.
“We have convened a centralised Joint Operations Centre in Atlantis, monitoring the situation through our various technologies, and with 105 members providing enforcement across the Atlantis area. From June to July, 1 343 taxis were impounded across the municipality- 970 for having no permit at all and 583, while having a permit, but operating contrary to the conditions of said permit.
The City will continue with operations in our efforts to safeguard the public and community,” Smith concluded.
Cape Argus