Department working closely with law enforcement regarding Delft taxi violence

The Department of Transport and Public Works is working closely with SAPS, Traffic Authorities and the City of Cape Town to address the current situation in Delft. Officials from my department attend daily meetings and briefings with the SAPS to advise on the regulatory aspects that impact on the present conflict. .

I will be placing a notice in the Government Gazette in terms of Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act, in which I state my intention to declare the Delft area a high risk area for public transport. Should the area be declared a high risk area, the Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE) will be empowered to suspend operating licences to close certain ranks and to suspend operations by minibus taxis on identified routes.

In order to avert such drastic measures, my department has, in the meantime appointed a group of seasoned, independent mediators to bring all parties involved in the conflict in Delft to the table, and to get them to cease hostilities and work towards a peaceful resolution.

We thank the SAPS for the increased deployment of officers in the Delft area to monitor and enforce the law, as well as for the swift arrests that followed incidents of criminal activity. Details of the arrests can be obtained from Brigadier Patelwa at the SAPS provincial office.

We also thank the traffic authorities who, together with SAPS have already impounded close to 50 taxis for illegal operations in the Delft area and the Cape Town station deck.

Our thanks too, to the many commuters who have had their journey’s disrupted. I can assure you that the steps taken are aimed bringing order and greater safety to their travel arrangements.