The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport secured a court interdict prohibiting members of the Johannesburg Tembisa Taxi Association (JTTA) and Midrand Taxi Association (MTA) from merging to form the Johannesburg Midrand Taxi Association (JMTA).
The Department had approached the court on an urgent basis, seeking an interdict to block the merger whilst also empowering the South African Police Service (SAPS) to take necessary steps to ensure that the associations comply with the court order.
"As the merger posed a threat to peace and security in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, the MEC approached the South Gauteng High Court on an urgent basis, seeking an interdict to stop the associations from illegally encroaching on routes and operating outside of their operators' licenses, as well as to declare the illegal merger to be null and void," said the MEC.
Both associations intended to merge into a single, new taxi association. This would have led to the integration of routes and operations under the guise of the Johannesburg Midrand Taxi Association.
"The court granted an interim order interdicting the associations from operating routes they are not licensed to operate, from instigating, inciting, promoting, or coercing any member of any other taxi association and the general public from committing acts of violence or lawlessness," said Gauteng MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure Jacob Mamabolo.
It further declared the merger of the two associations to be of no force and effect. The court order also interdicts the two associations from holding meetings and operating under the name and style of the newly formed Johannesburg Midrand Taxi Association.
MEC Mamabolo also called "upon all associations and interested parties to open criminal cases against any member of any association or of the general public who is found to be contravening the court order."
"The court order directs that the two associations return to court on 30 August 2022 to give reasons as to why the interim order should not be made a final order".
Taxi operators had resorted to violence, which led to the loss of lives and the closure of the R21 highway.