For Africa News: Minister Carlisle reacts to taxi stabbing

Minister Carlisle reacts to taxi stabbing – ‘Further violence could lead to total shutdown of all taxi operations in Hout Bay’

5 Oct 2011

Transport and Public Works Minister in the Western Cape Robin Carlisle has said his department ‘will never tolerate violence as a means to gaining access to taxi routes anywhere in Cape Town, or the province.’

The Minister’s comments come after a taxi driver was stabbed after an altercation, apparently between legal and illegal taxi operators from Hout Bay.

‘There are already more than 100 operating licences for the Hout Bay to Cape Town route, which involve two taxi associations, and we are not going to issue any more.

‘Furthermore, this route forms part of Phase 1 a of the City of Cape Town’s Integrated Rapid Transit Project, meaning that in terms of the relevant legislation, there is a moratorium on the granting of more operating licences for the route.

‘We have contacted our colleagues in law enforcement, who have assured us that they will clamp down on illegal operators, as well as the very small number of taxi industry members that would still want to use violence as a means to achieve their aims.

‘The taxi industry in Cape Town has had 20 death-free months, probably for the first time in the past 20 years and we will not allow anyone to disrupt this peace.

‘My office has also been assured by the South African Taxi Council in the province that we have their full support. Anyone that uses violence as a means to achieve their aims must know that my department will never give in.

‘Those embarking on such a course of action are attacking an industry that has a crucial role to play in economic growth and development.

‘If there is further violence we will consider a total shutdown of all taxi operations in Hout Bay.’

Enquiries:
Steven Otter
Cell: 084 233 3811

Issued by: Western Cape Transport and Public Works
5 Oct 2011

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