The South African National Taxi Council Gauteng (SANTACO) and
Gauteng National Taxi Alliance (GNTA), the two leading minibus taxi structures
in the province, have signed a first of its kind, historical agreement
committing to end taxi violence. 
The two structures agreed to intensify efforts to build a
smart taxi industry that is gun-free, successful, broad-based and an exemplary
business model for black economic empowerment. 
Both organisations agreed that MEC Jacob Mamabolo be
mandated to “act decisively against taxi associations riddled with internal
rifts, fights and other forms of instability that pose an immediate threat to
life and limb of members and the commuting public”. The MEC, under this
mandate, would have the powers to dissolve the leadership of associations and
their immediate placement under temporary administration, until order is restored.
 
Reflecting on the agreement, MEC Mamabolo said “this
agreement has not been imposed on the operators it is however a result of the
resolutions of the Taxi Summit held in Sedibeng last year. It is an important
step towards bringing stability in the taxi industry”. 
The MEC has also been asked to investigate modern and
transparent fare collection systems for implementation by various taxi
associations to promote accountability and saving of resources. 
SANTACO and GNTA have affirmed that an immediate end to taxi
violence was an important precondition for the transformation, modernisation
and integration of the minibus taxi industry into a reliable, safe, affordable
and efficient public transport system for the benefit of both operators and
commuters. 
“We commend the taxi industry for confronting the two threats
facing their sector, namely, the handling of money which borders on money
laundering and internal rifts, tensions and unhealthy leadership contestation
within some taxi associations. We believe this agreement will go a long way in
addressing taxi violence” concluded the MEC.