MEC Jacob
Mamabolo interventions in the minibus taxi sector are part of a broader vision
by the Gauteng Provincial Government to modernise and rebuild the taxi industry
to become a smart, gun-free industry.
The MEC held a
series of consultations with minibus taxi associations following simmering
tensions threatening to erupt into violence in different parts of the province.
On 06 July, MEC
Mamabolo met with the Internal Taxi Association (ITA) and Evaton West Taxi
Association (EWTA) currently in dispute over a route in Emfuleni Local
Municipality. 
The associations
have been in a stand-off since October 2019 after they failed to agree on how
to share a disputed route. They then approached MEC Mamabolo to mediate following
a breakout in violence which resulted in a loss of life.
As part of his interventions,
MEC indicated that “I had asked ITA and EWTA, which both fall under provincial
structure Gauteng National Taxi Alliance to resolve their issues through negotiations.
It is however becoming clear that this has not solved the problem.” 
He announced
that a Departmental team of officials were appointed to have consultations with
both associations and find a resolution. 
“We call on the
taxi industry to abandon violence and intimidation when they resolve their
problems,” added the MEC.
Meanwhile, the MEC
also held a meeting to introduce the 10-member Mamelodi Amalgamated Taxi
Association (MATA) advisory committee to newly appointed Administrator Ms. Hettie
Groenewald. She has been tasked with assisting with the running of the
association’s affairs for the next three months while preparing for election of
a new executive committee. 
The team further
committed to work with Ms Groenewald in order to restore peace in the Mamelodi
area. 
Since the intervention
by the Department in June 2020, there has been no reports of violent incidents.
Interventions by
the Gauteng Provincial Government are part of a broader vision to modernise and
rebuild the taxi industry to become a smart, gun-free industry.
The MEC also
held a follow up meeting with interim leadership of the Gauteng Education
Transport Service (GETS) as part of continuous work the Department is doing to
bring stability in the sector. 
Parties committed
to work to improve the monitoring of the province’s Learner Transport Covid-19
Prevention Programme.
The programme
involved the Department registering learner transport operators and issuing unique
stickers allowing them to operate during the lockdown period. Operators
were also provided with personal protective equipment to ensure that learners
and drivers prevent the spread of COVID-19.