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The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport categorically condemns the actions by Nancefield Dube West (NANDUWE) Taxi Association to blockade the streets of JHB CBD today.

The Department views the actions as unfortunate given that the Department and the taxi associations affected (NANDUWE & Witwatersrand African Taxi Association (WATA) have had ongoing engagements to find common ground in resolving the routes disputes.

MEC Ismail Vadi has repeated his call that lawlessness in the taxi industry will not be tolerated under any circumstances and called on both associations to allow the due processes to unfold.

“The Department remains committed to implementing the Section 79 hearing as per the court order. To this end, the Department sent subpoenas to members of both associations inviting them to attend the section 79 hearing.

“Attorneys for both associations responded and gave an indication that they will oppose any attempt by the department to amend their client’s operating licenses and that they will approach the courts of law to interdict the department from doing so,” Vadi elaborated.

In an attempt to resolve the issue amicably, it was then agreed that both associations must submit their heads of arguments for consideration before the department proceed with the intended amendment of their operating licenses in terms of section 79(3) of the NLTA, No. 5 of 2009.

The heads of arguments were expected to be submitted by the agreed deadline date of 13 December 2016 and none of the parties have done so to date.

The department met with NANDUWE representatives this afternoon (Monday) where an agreement was reached that both associations should operate as per their operating licenses and authority.

Vadi also urged taxi associations and their leaders to cooperate with the department and law enforcement agencies as they try to resolve the issues between the two associations.

Issued by Gauteng Roads and Transport