SANTACO calls for an end to taxi war as ‘Cata miss meeting’

NewsSportLifestyleEntertainmentOpinionNewsSANTACO calls for an end to taxi war as ‘Cata miss meeting’Marsha Dean|Updated 20 hours agoCopy to ClipboardAsk AICAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE: Stranded commuters

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) called for an end to bloodshed in the Western Cape and urged its drivers to return to work.

This was discussed during their meeting with the taxi industry and the Western Cape Government on Thursday, 29 October 2026, after a trail of taxi-related shootings, allegedly linked to feuding taxi associations, CATA and CODETA.

Police have confirmed that 10 people have been shot in recent days. 

Makhosandile Tumana, spokesperson and Public Relations Officer for the Western Cape branch of the South African National Taxi Council, told the Daily Voice that not everyone attended the meeting on Thursday. 

He said that CATA did not send a delegation but hopes that all members will be present when talks resume on Monday.

Government said: “CATA did not attend the meeting, citing prior commitments outside the province. While government acknowledges the apology, its absence from such an urgent engagement is deeply disappointing, particularly given the loss of life.”

Tumana said: “What was discussed in the meeting is that all our drivers will return to work in all our urban areas. The members of CODETA will ensure that the safety and security of our drivers is there. 

“Today’s meeting was meant to resolve the problem between CATA and CODETA.

“Unfortunately, CATA did not attend the meeting; however, we rescheduled the meeting for Monday, with hopes that all our brothers will follow the instruction that there will be no bloodshed anymore from today. With that hope, we want to see each other on Monday.

“When we look at this situation, the people who get right in the middle of the dispute are the drivers and commuters. We are appealing to our operators not to continue with this unlawful act of killing each other. 

“What is very important is to engage each other now and again instead of taking part in killing each other. 

“I want to caution our drivers and commuters. At the moment, the situation is very bad for everyone, but we want to appeal to them to bear with us and assist us in this matter because we are depending on them as our commuters.”

Meanwhile, the Western Cape Government and City of Cape Town (CoCT) have vowed to intensify their coordinated response to the ongoing taxi-related violence that has claimed lives, terrorised communities and disrupted public transport services.

Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Isaac Sileku, and CoCT MMC for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas, met with SANTACO Western Cape and CODETA on Thursday, 29 October 2026, to discuss urgent measures to end the violence.

Minister Sileku said that government will not stand by while disputes over routes and operating rights continue to place innocent lives at risk. He stressed that no dispute over commercial interests could justify bloodshed, intimidation, or the disruption of essential public transport services.

“The provincial government and City are strengthening their collective response through legal intervention, regulatory action, and increased law enforcement, with the Office of the Premier forming part of the coordinated government effort. SANTACO Western Cape and CODETA acknowledged the gravity of the situation and the urgent need to restore stability,” the statement read. 

The following interventions are being advanced:

– Urgent engagement: A further meeting involving CATA and CODETA leadership is being arranged for Monday, 2 November, to address outstanding disputes and work towards a lasting resolution.

– *Legal action:* The Department will continue its regulatory processes, including an inquiry into alleged violations by identified taxi associations and an urgent court application to clarify operating rights.

– *Stronger enforcement:* The City has committed to maintaining a strong law enforcement presence in affected areas and supporting the province’s legal action.

– *Commuter protection:* The Department is exploring additional transport services should taxi operations be disrupted.