Opportunity to make Taxi Agreement an order of Court

Joint media release by City of Cape Town and Western Cape Government WCG, City welcome opportunity to make Taxi Agreement an order of Court

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, driver's 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, driver's 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:

• For a period of 14 days, starting Monday, 14 August 2023, the Minibus-Taxi Task Team (comprising representatives of SANTACO, the City of Cape Town, and the Western Cape Government) will jointly seek agreement on what offences directly threaten commuter safety and warrant impoundment. This will inform a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to guide enforcement personnel's actions as per the National Land Transport Act (NLTA) and Operating Licence Conditions. The City's unwavering commitment to commuter safety means that all traffic offences impacting on safety should continue to meet a penalty of impoundment.
• Impoundments will continue for vehicles operating without valid licences or permits, or inadequate roadworthiness.
• SANTACO has been invited by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis to submit specific cases of vehicles they claim to have been impounded for offences that do not directly impact on commuter safety. If indeed these cases exist, the City will make representations to the Public Prosecutor for the release of these impounded vehicles only. It is important to emphasise that the City must be in agreement with SANTACO regarding what offences are regarded as minor.
• Strike Protocols and Resolution: SANTACO commits to provide a minimum of 36 hours' notice before initiating future strike actions, ensuring no repeat of the terrible scenes of last Thursday evening, with stranded commuters walking home. Additionally, a dispute escalation and resolution clause will be established, allowing matters to be elevated to the Premier and Mayor before strike action.

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.

Media Enquiries:  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