Addressing delegates attending the 2019 Gauteng Taxi Summit, MEC Jacob Mamabolo stressed the need to bring to an end alleged high levels of conflicts afflicting the sector whilst also tackling corruption and maladministration.
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is hosting a two-day summit to amongst other things - reflect, review and track the implementation of resolutions adopted at the previous summits.
Upon assuming office, MEC Mamabolo has had a series of discussions with the industry in an attempt to resolve operational challenges relating to legislation, monitoring and enforcement. 
Speaking at the summit, he indicated that there was an urgent need to bring to an end taxi wars as these hamstrung the growth of the industry. 
MEC said "we need to investigate the root cause of the murder rate in the industry so that we can attend to the real, and not assumed, causes by making the industry efficient and effective". He further said there was also a need to bring to an end the alleged high levels of corruption and maladministration.
"We must bring to an immediate end the alleged high levels of corruption, maladministration and toxic management practices in the issuance of operating permits", he stressed. He added that "this requires a proper audit of who the permits have been issued to, and the routes on which they are issued".
"We need to have full control in this area. It is apparently one of the biggest factors that account for the overall mismanagement of this industry" 
He also indicated that a number of complaints regarding permits have been received and committed the Department to working together with associations in addressing this matter. 
The MEC also challenged the industry to embrace and "urgently introduce modern and advanced smart technologies to run and manage this sector". These interventions, he said, will include using smart technologies to integrate this industry into other modes of transport.  
As an example, he said the industry needed to have technologies to integrate taxis with buses, Metrorail, Gautrain and Bus Rapid Transit systems. This will give commuters real time information about the location and operating hours of each taxi rank, he added.
He further stressed the need for the urgent introduction of best business practices and principles in this sector. The first step being the introduction of training and re-skilling of the participants. This will include having operators and drivers trained on road safety, customer service and interpersonal skills. MEC added "we need to do away with the current bad practices that alienates people from taxis". 
Delegates are expected to critically assess progress in the implementation of resolutions and chart a way forward - seek ways to modernise the industry and to take it to the next level.