#UPDATE -BELLVILLE TAXI RANK REOPENED, TAXI ASSOCIATIONS REMAIN SUSPENDED

South Africa

The Bellville and Bloekombos taxi ranks have reopened after taxi associations  who got involved in a dispute over operating routes reached a peace agreement yesterday.

The ranks had been shut down for about a week due to violent clashes between Bellville Taxi Association (Bellta) and Bloekombos-Wallacedene Taxi Association (Bloewata).

The two associations were affiliated with the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata). Two innocent bystanders were wounded in a shooting at the Bellville taxi rank last week.

The suspension by the office of the provincial taxi registrar still stands and will only be reviewed at a later date this month. This Bellta and Bloewata will not be able to lodge applications for the granting and amendment of operating licences.

“The suspension is an administrative suspension and not an operational suspension, which means that associations may still operate according to their operating licences,” said Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) head of communications Jandré Bakker.

“The industry has also met without government parties being present. This resulted in an agreement being reached between the parties.”

Bakker said the agreement was presented to the government yesterday, with the request to reopen the ranks.

Given the willingness by both parties to restore peace and stability, DTPW decided to then reopen both taxi ranks.

-IOL

 

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