Vadi shuts down Soweto taxi routes
Taxi commuters in some parts of Soweto will need to find alternative transport after a decision was taken to shut down six routes for the next three months.
Gauteng transport MEC Ismail Vadi confirmed on Wednesday that the WATA (Witwatersrand Taxi Association) and Nanduwe taxi ranks will be closed from Friday.
The decision was taken due to the on-going conflict between the two associations over routes, which has led to the deaths of at least four people since January.
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"It is necessary to shut down their minibus taxi services for the safety of commuters and residents of Soweto," said Vadi.
"There will be a degree of inconvenience to commuters in the immediate vicinity of the specified tax ranks and routes, but what I need to explain is that we are not shutting down all the taxi ranks in the Soweto area. There are other taxi associations who have taxis running.
"Wata and Nanduwe, outside of specified areas, will be allowed to continue with their normal operations. Bus services will also be running, both Rea Vaya and the provincial bus services and there is Metrorail.
"There will be a fair amount of transport available for the people of Soweto."
The Taxi ranks include:
1. Makhetha stores taxi rank
2. Mofolo Sizwe Stores taxi rank
3. Kwa-Mthetwa Stores (Machaba and Nxumalo Streets)
4. Dube Station taxi rank
5. Makhetha Garage (Pela and Mahalefela Road)
6. Uncle Tom's Hall (Orlando West)