Calls for troubled taxi route to be shut down

Gauteng Taxi Registrar spokesperson Eric Xaia wants the route between the Bree Street taxi rank in the Johannesburg CBD and Clearwater Mall on the West Rand, shut down to maintain peace.

The route was awarded to the Dorljota taxi association instead of the Faraday taxi association after a court battle.

There has been ongoing violence in recent months, which has resulted in a number of deaths. Last week a taxi driver was shot and killed at Bree Street taxi rank. At least five people have been killed in the past three months.

A government task team has been set up to address taxi violence in Johannesburg.

Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Firoz Cachalia, says they are engaging with all parties involved. He says the team has managed to minimise incidents of taxi violence. Johannesburg's Bree Street taxi rank is to be placed under 24-hour police surveillance.