Judge Ian Farlam appointed as mediator in minibus taxi dispute | Western Cape Government

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Judge Ian Farlam appointed as mediator in minibus taxi dispute

2 October 2017

Statement by Donald Grant Ministers of Transport and Public Works 

On 18 September 2017, following an agreement reached at the meeting that I called with conflicting minibus-taxi industry leaders, I instructed my Department (Transport and Public Works) to procure the services of an independent mediator, with a legal background, to engage the two parties on their identified issues. 

I am pleased to announce that we have secured the services of retired Supreme Court of Appeals (SCA) Judge, Ian Farlam, to oversee the mediation process that was previously agreed to.  The two minibus taxi groupings, the current SANTACO executive and the so-called Minibus Taxi Industry ‘Task Team’, have both agreed to the appointment of Judge Farlam, as well as to the terms of reference for the mediation process. 

The process will seek to explore, in relation to the upcoming regional and provincial elections, the key areas of concern, while identifying the root causes of disagreements with a view to finding long term solutions.  At the centre of the disagreement is a dispute over internal constitutional processes that must be followed in the election of a new leadership. The process will be guided by the rule of law. I am confident that Judge Farlam will conduct his work in a manner that is fair to both parties, while remaining completely impartial. 

Judge Farlam held his first session with the ‘Task Team’ group members at 12 noon today, after they had requested a postponement of the initial meeting which was scheduled for Friday 29 September.

My department and I remain committed to ensuring that a united minibus taxi industry is maintained in the Western Cape, with a democratically elected leadership.  It is still of concern to me that internal divisions are threatening the stability of the minibus-taxi industry and with it, the means of transport of many citizens in our province.  I initiated this mediation process to resolve the impasse between the disputing groups and to chart a way forward that would result in an inclusive and democratic election of new industry leadership.

While the concerns of both groups are now being appropriately addressed, we hope that the parties continue to participate willingly and freely in this departmentally facilitated mediation process, as was agreed to on the 18th of September 2017. The minibus taxi leadership must now show their commitment to providing a safe and reliable public transport service to the many commuters that depend on them, by doing all they can to ensure that this mediation process is a success. 

I must repeat what I said to the industry previously: Violent conflict and criminal acts will not be allowed to dominate the industry in the Western Cape. The Western Cape Government condemns such acts in the strongest possible terms, and will do all it can to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the current dispute.

Media Enquiries: 

Siphesihle Dube
Spokesperson for the Minister of Transport and Public Works, Donald Grant
Cell: 084 233 3811
Tel: 021 483 8954
Fax: 021 483 2217
E-mail: Siphesihle.Dube@westerncape.gov.za