The Western Cape High Court has delivered a significant victory for provincial transport authorities, dismissing taxi association Codeta’s urgent interdict application and validating the government’s decision to close several contentious minibus taxi routes in the name of commuter safety.
The ruling, handed down on Wednesday, upholds the lawfulness of invoking Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act (NLTA), reinforcing the Western Cape Department of Mobility’s authority to implement extraordinary safety measures in the face of ongoing taxi industry disputes.
The court’s decision affects ten specific routes that have been at the center of the controversy, including several key connections between Khayelitsha, Somerset West, and surrounding areas. The affected routes span busy corridors such as the 611 Khayelitsha-Somerset West line, the M18 Mfuleni-Somerset West route, and various services connecting communities to major shopping centers including Somerset Mall and Waterstone Mall.
Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku welcomed the judgment, saying that the ruling “reaffirms that our actions are guided by the law and prioritise the protection of lives.” With the court’s backing, the department will proceed with its 30-day extraordinary measures, which include the closure of specific routes and ranks. However, time is running short for a negotiated settlement, with only seven days remaining for affected associations and stakeholders to reach a lasting agreement with provincial authorities.
The extraordinary measures represent an escalation in the provincial government’s response to what it describes as safety concerns within the minibus taxi industry. The invocation of Section 91 of the NLTA provides authorities with enhanced powers to suspend operations where passenger safety is deemed at risk.
Minister Sileku has repeatedly stated the need for constructive engagement over confrontation, urging all parties to “prioritise dialogue over disruption.” The department’s stance reflects growing frustration with what it sees as the industry’s preference for costly litigation over collaborative problem-solving.
“The focus must remain on restoring stability and ensuring that no commuter or operator’s life is ever placed at risk again,” the Minister stated, calling on all parties to “return to the negotiating table and work towards a lasting, peaceful solution.”
The court case highlights deeper tensions within the Western Cape’s minibus taxi industry, where disputes over routes, territorial rights, and operational procedures have periodically disrupted services and, according to authorities, compromised passenger safety.
The government’s decision to invoke Section 91 powers represents one of the most significant interventions in recent years, demonstrating the province’s willingness to take decisive action when it believes commuter welfare is at stake.
With seven days remaining before the extraordinary measures period concludes, all eyes are now on whether the affected taxi associations will heed the Minister’s call for renewed negotiations. The court’s validation of the government’s approach strengthens the province’s hand in any future discussions, while the ticking clock adds urgency to finding a resolution.
For thousands of commuters who rely on these routes daily, the outcome of these negotiations will determine whether normal services resume or whether alternative arrangements become necessary.
