Mbalula mulling SANDF deployment to stem tide of taxi violence in Cape Town
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula says he remains hopeful that the negotiations between the different taxi associations in Cape Town will bring an end to the ongoing violence.
The conflict between the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Associations (CODETA) has left at least 82 people dead since the start of the year.
Thousands of commuters have also been left stranded due to the ongoing violence.
Speaking in Cape Town on Thursday, Mbalula warned of a possible deployment of SANDF troops if a solution is not found.
"We got to have measures in place, which the Minister of Police (Bheki Cele) and Defence (Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula) will assist us with in terms of the defence supporting the police to bring law and order and make everybody feel safe.”
Government will also intervene if the two taxi associations cannot find common ground on the issue of routes.
"We urge the two associations to make a concerted effort to find a lasting solution to the challenges that have persisted over the years with a renewed purpose that has no room for violence.
"The safety of commuters remains the paramount and overarching priority of whichever outcome of the current processes and is non-negotiable.
"The long-term solution should assist us in providing a safe, reliable, affordable, and law abiding service for the commuters in the Cape."
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