​By Staff Reporter
MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, held a public meeting with commuters and residents affected by the ongoing dispute between the Witwatersrand African Taxi Association (WATA) and the Nancefield Dube West Taxi Association (Nanduwe) on 18 April 2024, at Uncle Toms Hall in Orlando West, Soweto.

The MEC convened the public participation meeting as part of her broad consultation with communities as she intends on invoking Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act.
 
The act gives the MEC powers to implement special measures, including the closure of routes and taxi ranks that are being disputed between the two associations. 
 
Tensions between WATA and NANDUWE arose early this month when the two associations did not agree on operations on routes along Dube to Jeppe Station Rank, Makhetha Garage (Phefeni) Taxi to Jeppe Station Taxi Rank as well as Uncle Toms Hall Taxi Rank to Jeppe Station. This gave rise to violence that resulted in several deaths in the area.
 
“My visit to Soweto was to explain in detail our interventions aimed at ensuring that we safeguard the lives of commuters and taxi operators,” said MEC Diale-Tlabela. As part of resolving the dispute, the Provincial government is planning on amending the contested routes and its operating licenses to avoid duplication of these routes. This intervention is the first of its kind since these routes were formulated.
 
“I would like to send a word of appreciation to the Gauteng Taxi Industry leadership for their stewardship and support as we deal with this complex challenge. We will continue to extend our hand to both WATA and Nanduwe as we take a special interest in the taxi industry,” added MEC.
 
MEC Diale-Tlabela emphasised the key role that the taxi industry continues to play in powering the economy of Gauteng as the largest people mover. The provincial government continues to support initiatives to modernise and corporatise the industry. These include the establishment of the taxi fund, which coordinates several empowerment opportunities for the industry.