​By Sipho Tshabalala
The public hearings of the Commission of Inquiry into Taxi Violence in the Gauteng Province are set to continue on Monday, 03 February 2020. The commission's sitting is at the Emoyeni Conference Centre, 15 Jubilee Roads, Parktown, Johannesburg 
It is expected to hear testimony from the Department's Acting Chief Director: Registration and Operating Licensing, Mr Modise Sojane, from Monday until Wednesday.  
The acting chief director's testimony will include, but not be limited to:
Historical context to the provision of public transport services by the minibus taxi industry in Gauteng; and 
Historical context - How the law regulating the taxi industry has evolved over time including how the minibus taxi industry is structured, governed, managed and regulated.

 Set up by Gauteng Premier David Makhura at the behest of the taxi industry, it is mandated to inquire into and investigate, make findings, report on, and make recommendations on:
The underlying reasons for the recurring conflict, violence, fatalities and instability within the minibus taxi-type service industry within the province;
 The activities of operators, legal and illegal, as well as any other group or person that contributes to the recurring conflict, violence, fatalities and instability;
The provision of minibus taxi transport services authorised by both interchange-based and direct route-based permits and licences; and
How the minibus taxi business model, including the formation and management of minibus taxi associations, contributes to the recurring conflict, violence, fatalities and instability.

The commission has six months to complete its work and submit its report and recommendations. 

Meanwhile, the legal team is in the process of identifying and/or consulting with other witnesses who will appear before the Commission over the next few weeks.