The Western Cape Department of Mobility has warned that it will take legal and enforcement action if violence or other unlawful activity resumes between rival taxi associations CATA and CODETA.
The warning follows a peace agreement signed on Friday by the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association.
The deal comes after several deadly attacks involving the associations in recent weeks, with tensions linked to a dispute over taxi operations in Somerset West.
Peace deal follows deadly violence
SANTACO in the Western Cape previously told Eyewitness News that the conflict was triggered by an unresolved dispute over the lucrative Somerset West route.
The route has already been at the centre of government intervention.
The provincial government closed it last year in response to continued violence in the taxi industry.
While the Mobility Department has welcomed the latest agreement, it cautioned that signing the document alone would not be enough to restore lasting stability.
The department said the conduct of both associations following the agreement would determine whether the deal succeeds.
Department ready to intervene
Mobility Department spokesperson Muneera Allie said authorities expect all parties to honour the commitments they made under the peace agreement.
She warned that the province would act if either side became involved in unlawful conduct.
“Should any unlawful activity occur, the department will not hesitate to implement the necessary legal and enforcement measures to restore stability,” Allie said.
The department will continue monitoring developments between CATA and CODETA and has indicated that further intervention remains an option if tensions return.
Focus shifts to keeping the peace
The agreement represents an attempt to bring an end to the latest period of violence involving two of the Western Cape’s major taxi associations.
However, provincial authorities have made it clear that compliance will be closely watched.
The Somerset West route remains central to the dispute between the organisations, according to SANTACO’s earlier account.
With the peace agreement now signed, attention will shift to whether CATA and CODETA can maintain the commitments and avoid another escalation.
The Mobility Department said it would not hesitate to intervene again where necessary to protect stability.