Gauteng Taxi Violence
By Mpho Moloi
The Katlehong People’s Taxi Association, based east of Johannesburg, has revealed that some of its members are too afraid to meet with the government to discuss ending the ongoing taxi violence in Gauteng. This fear stems from internal threats and a recent killing, despite the Gauteng Department of Transport’s call for rival taxi associations to work together on a peaceful solution. As violence escalates, Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has announced plans for a public transport intervention unit to tackle the crisis, which has claimed 60 lives this year.
A Climate of Fear in Katlehong
The reluctance of the Katlehong People’s Taxi Association to engage with authorities highlights the dangerous atmosphere within the taxi industry. This week, a member of the association was shot and killed, intensifying fears among operators. Another member, speaking anonymously, explained the internal conflict: “Some drivers are against meeting government and threaten those who are willing.” This division has made it nearly impossible for the association to negotiate with officials without risking further violence.
A chilling example of this danger came after a previous attempt at peace. “We once attended a meeting with the Zonkiziwe Association to discuss a ceasefire. The meeting ended at 6 pm, and by 8 pm, there were ten people shot in our taxis, and two of our drivers died,” the anonymous member recounted. The incident underscores why many in Katlehong are hesitant to be seen cooperating with the government, as such actions can provoke deadly retaliation.
Government Pushes for Peace
The Gauteng Department of Transport has responded by urging rival associations to find a peaceful way forward. Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has taken a firm stand, announcing that plans for a public transport intervention unit are underway. Speaking outside the home of a taxi owner killed this week in Ekurhuleni, she said, “This could help lessen the killings.” The unit aims to address the root causes of the violence, which has seen 60 deadly shootings in Gauteng this year alone.
Diale-Tlabela has also threatened to close taxi ranks if the violence persists, a drastic measure following the murder of an Ekurhuleni taxi boss. She has engaged Premier Panyaza Lesufi to ensure the unit has the support it needs to succeed, signaling a coordinated effort to restore order in the industry.
An Independent Intervention Unit
A key focus of the new unit is its independence. Diale-Tlabela emphasized that it will include individuals free from conflicts of interest. “As they come, we need to vet them because we cannot longer afford to work with people within the law enforcement agencies who are taxi operators because it doesn’t help us. It creates the chaos we are in because these are people of interest in the industry,” she said. This vetting process aims to prevent the involvement of law enforcement officers who double as taxi operators—a problem that has fueled mistrust and undermined past efforts to curb the violence.
The MEC added, “She said that she engaged Premier Panyaza Lesufi to get the unit to deal with issues facing the industry,” highlighting the government’s commitment to making the unit effective. By ensuring its members are impartial, the unit could break the cycle of violence that has gripped Gauteng’s taxi sector.
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