The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is appealing for calm and for parties to avoid a possibility of violent clashes between members of Witwatersrand African Taxi Association (WATA) and Nancefield Dube-West Taxi Association (NANDUWE) who have been engaged in fatal conflict for more than a decade over disputed routes.
This follows a decision by the Gauteng Provincial Regulatory Entity (GPRE) to officially declare that NANDUWE has the right to operate on routes which have been at the centre of dispute with WATA in Soweto and surrounding areas.
The decision was announced by GPRE in a meeting that included the national, provincial and regional structures of both GNTA and SANTACO held on Thursday, 16 January 2025.
NANDUWE has indicated it will commence with operations on said routes as from Monday, 20 January 2025.
The routes confirmed by GPRE include:
- Mofolo – Kwa Mthethwa Informal Taxi Rank to Jeppe Station Taxi Rank;
- Dube Station Taxi Rank to Jeppe Station Taxi Rank;
- Makhetha Garage (Phefeni) Taxi Rank to Jeppe Station Taxi Rank and Uncle Toms Hall Taxi Rank to Jeppe Station Taxi Rank.
GPRE also reiterated that other associations’ whose minibus taxis pass through these areas do not have a right to “load” and “bind” in areas mentioned above. This is because it is not their starting (A) points. The decision also means that WATA can only “off-Load” but not “load” and “bind” on these specified routes.
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has thanked the maturity demonstrated by all who participated and accepted the decision and called for calm and for the two associations to implement the decision.
“As a competent body on these matters, I am appealing to parties to respect the decision and ensure safe travels of commuters in these areas. As a provincial government, working with law enforcement agencies, we will do everything in our power to safeguard communities and ensure that normal operations are maintained” said the MEC.
“We remain committed to work with the industry to find lasting solutions to all challenges facing the taxi industry and restore peace across the public transport sector” added the MEC.
During the announcement of the decision, the President of SANTACO, Mr. Abner Tsebe and the Deputy President of NTA, Mr. Piet Mahlangu, who were both of part of a two-day meeting held early in December 2024 leading to the decision unanimously accepted the decision and urged the regional and provincial leaders to work with GPRE in implementing the decision, and appealed that “no one must die because of the decision”.
The Department has noted that WATA has indicated the association is consulting with its legal team with the purpose of appealing GPRE’s decision.
The decision brings the Department a step closer to concluding a long and painful period.
INFO SUPPLIED.
