WCG, City welcome opportunity to make Taxi Agreement an order of Court
Joint media release by City of Cape Town and Western Cape Government
The Western Cape Government and City of Cape Town welcome the opportunity to make the terms of the agreement which ended the minibus-taxi strike an order of the High Court today. This will put an end to misinformation about the exact terms agreed to between the City, the WCG, and the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), and will lessen the potential for conflict between taxi operators and officers on the road. Read more below:
‘SANTACO’s interdict application is an opportunity to make the full terms of the agreement an order of court today. As per the agreement signed by all parties, impoundments continue under the National Land Transport Act for vehicles driving without an operating licence, drivers license or PDP, or which are not roadworthy. This will strengthen our mutual commitment to maintaining peace as the people of Cape Town are able to travel through the city efficiently, safely, and with dignity,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.
All six vehicles still impounded from last weekend are in line with the agreed offences of driving without an operating licence, drivers license or PDP, or unroadworthiness.
‘Making the agreement an order of the court today will put an end to misinformation about the exact terms agreed to. We have been concerned by misleading information circulating about a moratorium on all impoundments, which is not correct and creates the conditions for confrontation between officers and minibus taxi drivers or operators. Our priority is to continue working together as government and industry leadership to ensure that commuters have safe, reliable and affordable transport options,’ said Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Ricardo Mackenzie.
The previously signed agreement, which the WCG and City will ask be made an order of the court today, encompasses the following key points:
It must be reiterated that this entire agreement hinges on the prevention of taxi-related violence. Any revival of such violence will nullify the agreement.
Councillor Rob Quintas, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Tel: 021 400 7197 or Cell: 082 042 3502, Email: Roberto.Quintas@capetown.gov.za (please always copy media.account@capetown.gov.za)
Rebecca Campbell, Spokesperson for Minister Ricardo Mackenzie, Cell:
076 783 2583, Email: Rebecca.Campbell@westerncape.gov.za