The DA in the Western Cape has welcomed the collaboration of the MEC Daylin Mitchell, Minister Fikile Mbalula and the taxi associations which resulted in an agreement reached yesterday. An important priority now is for justice to take its course without delay against those responsible for taxi industry criminality.
After a number of weeks, the negotiation process has resulted in all routes to and from Mbekweni, except for the route B97, being reopened. Coupled with constant monitoring by law enforcement, these actions will alleviate the stress on the public transport system. The provincial Department’s commitment to suspend licences of parties that instigate further violence is also set to contribute to incentivising a safer taxi industry.
MPP Mackenzie says: “Whilst this agreement and the ongoing arbitration process will provide the foundations for stability in the industry, our view remains that there must be accountability and consequences for those involved in criminal activities within the industry.
It cannot be that the cases of 87 deaths this year – and over 333 over four years – will continue to be at the mercy of our slow criminal justice system, which has a meagre 5.3% conviction rate for taxi-violence related crimes. In order for our roads to be safe and for closure to be brought to those have lost loved ones as a result, justice needs to be seen to be carried out.
In my capacity as Chairperson of the Standing Committee, I will be submitting parliamentary questions regarding the current progress being made with the Court Watching Brief Unit in terms of its oversight on the taxi-related crimes.
We will continue to urge the leadership of Santaco, Cata and Codeta to work with law enforcement to ensure that those responsible are reported. Furthermore, we implore SAPS and the National Prosecution Authority to expedite their efforts in the prosecution of those who have engaged in these incidences of criminality.
