After WC govt secures interdict, Winde urges CATA, CODETA to return to talks to end violence

CAPE TOWN - Western Cape Premier Alan Winde is urging taxi associations CATA and CODETA to return to the negotiating table.

The provincial administration has secured a court interdict in a bid to end the violence in Cape Town.

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The Mobility Department approached the High Court on Thursday on an urgent basis to compel the organisations to stop the shootings, which claimed five lives this week.

Nine other people were wounded in fresh violence at taxi ranks in Philippi East, Khayelitsha, and Macassar.

The attacks are linked to a feud between CATA and CODETA over a route from Mfuleni and Khayelitsha to Somerset West.

Winde said the interdict would be in effect until 9 October, when the court will decide whether to make it permanent.

"We really urge these taxi associations to return to the negotiations to find lasting solutions. They must always put their commuters first. These are the residents of our province, and this is an absolute non-negotiable."

He added that the minibus taxi industry was a crucial part of the province's public transport system.

"They move two million people in the City of Cape Town every day; it is a critical component to our public transport system. We don't want to be ending up in court and using these measures, but these are our last resorts."