By Sipho Tshabalala
Gauteng MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure, Jacob Mamabolo, has urged minibus taxi industry operators to make use of the recently established Gauteng Public Transport Arbitration Office to report and resolve any disputes they may have.
This as the Gauteng government is ramping up efforts to curb taxi violence in the province.
Headed by retired Judge Jeremiah Shongwe, the Arbitration Office was established to serve as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism within the public transport industry in the province.
Referring to the work of the office, MEC Mamabolo said "the Gauteng Provincial Government has established a platform for minibus taxi industry operators to resolve their disputes through the arbitration office. With its establishment, there is no more basis for violence, disruptions, and instability that negatively affect movement and the lives of commuters".
He added "this is in line with the recommendations of Commission of Inquiry into Taxi Violence and our smart mobility vision of modernising the minibus taxi industry through peaceful resolution of disputes".
He also made an appeal to the sector "in the province to follow the principle of negotiation when tackling or trying to resolve disputes. As the Department, we are confident that this office is well-placed to manage and assist in management of conflicts and incidences of violence in the industry".
The office - which is independent, impartial and easily accessible - offers a free service to public transport service operators. 
ME Mamabolo further explained that "the Department's dedicated law enforcement arm - the Public Transport Intervention Unit - will empower the work of the arbitration office through the enforcement of arbitration awards and addressing public transport related issues". 
The Public Transport Intervention Unit comprises thirty-nine (39) law-enforcement officials who were seconded from the Department of Community Safety on 01 July 2022 to discharge public transport monitoring functions.
NB: The process to lodge disputes for an appropriate alternative dispute resolution, including Arbitration, will be published on the Gauteng Provincial Government website (www.gauteng.gov.za).