Cape Chamber condemns criminal elements wreaking havoc within the taxi industry

The Cape Chamber condemns criminal elements wreaking havoc within the taxi industry at a time when closer collaboration is needed to stamp out violence within the sector. We offer our condolences to all those affected by the latest spate of attacks, particularly to those who lost loved ones. 

A taxi association leader was shot dead in his car a month ago, and four other men died last Friday when two gunmen stormed a taxi association office. Last week a Strand taxi driver was killed and an eight-year-old boy wounded by a stray bullet during a shooting incident in Lwandle. 

This week taxi drivers staged a protest leading to the closure of the Somerset West Taxi rank. 

The Cape Chamber calls for cool heads to prevail as we negotiate the current violence plaguing the industry. As far as we understand, the vast majority of stakeholders have had enough of the violence and seek a future where violence no longer exists, and where people can work without fear. 

Much work has gone into the formation of the Western Cape Taxi Cluster, a new umbrella organisation aimed at industry reform (a collaboration between Cape Chamber and SANTACO), We therefore appeal to all associations and their members to show restraint and resolve issues through constructive dialogue. 

Ongoing violence highlights systemic failure within a vital transport sector in urgent need of reform, and where commuter safety is paramount.

Derryn Brigg
Deputy President of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry