EASTERN Cape Transport MEC, Xolile Nqatha, together with King Sabata Dalindyebo Executive Mayor, Nyaniso Nelani, met taxi operators at Mayfair Hotel on September 21, in a bid to avert a total shutdown of Mthatha by the taxi operators.
The taxi operators, under the banner of Mthatha Taxi Owners Association, had threatened to shut down Mthatha, in a bid to force authorities to reopen the Circus Triangle taxi rank. The taxi rank is the only facility that was not reopened after several taxi ranks were closed due to escalating taxi violence years ago.
The shutdown, planned for September 21, has since been put on hold to allow for further engagements between government and the taxi association. Another meeting is scheduled to take place 14 days after last week’s meeting.
“The meeting agreed that both parties will meet again in 14 days to allow both parties to consult relevant stakeholders towards finding a lasting solution to the contentious issue of the Circus Triangle taxi rank.
“We will recall that at the height of the taxi violence a few people lost their lives at that taxi rank and several inquest dockets were subsequently opened by the police. This means that the department will have to also consult legally during the 14 days’ period, so that it makes an informed decision on whether the facility will be reopened or remain closed,” said Eastern Cape Department of Transport spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, after last week’s meeting.
Binqose described the discussions at the closed meeting as cordial, adding that there was agreement from both parties that the issue of the closed taxi rank should be speedily addressed and brought to finality.
Mthatha Taxi Owners Association deputy secretary, Linda Myeki, said they will allow Nqatha time to consult relevant stakeholders, adding that they remained resolute on their demand for the Circus Triangle taxi rank to be reopened. Nelani said that beyond the Circus Triangle taxi rank issue the municipality was looking at an ideal transport hub for Mthatha as part of their development initiatives, as they aspire for a metropolitan municipality status in 2026.
“We recently visited Cape Town together, with representatives of taxi associations, to benchmark on various aspects of an ideal transport hub for Mthatha, as we want to play an effective role as the municipality in ensuring that taxi operators operate in conducive facilities,” Nelani said.
