16 Jul 2021 | 08:25 AM UTC
South Africa: Taxi-related violence and disruptions likely to persist in Cape Town through July
Taxi-related violence and disruptions in the Cape Town area of South Africa are likely to persist through at least the end of July.
Event
Minibus taxi-related violence and disruptions are likely to persist in Cape Town and surrounding areas through late July. Competition between rival taxi operators over control of routes has included targeted killings, leading to disruption to taxi services at times. As of the morning of July 16, taxi services are widely disrupted in the Cape Town area. Local officials continue to negotiate with operators to resolve the conflict and end the violence.
Heightened security is almost certain at taxi ranks throughout the Cape Town area in the coming days. Security forces are likely to focus on areas that have already experienced violence, including Delft, Harare, Bellville, Parow, Philippi, Philippi East, Du Noon, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, and Gugulethu. Targeted and opportunistic assassinations of minibus taxi drivers by rivals will likely persist. The incidental threat to bystanders, including passengers, is elevated. Taxi drivers may also initiate protests in response to the violence and ongoing impasse. Such protests are likely to include go-slow convoy protests on major highways or in central Cape Town. Higher employee absenteeism is possible if workers are unable to arrange alternative transport. Increased demand for bus and rail services is also possible during periods of heightened taxi-related disruptions.
Context
Taxi-related violence and disruptions are common in South Africa, including Cape Town, where competition over routes regularly leads to confrontations between opposing groupings. Violence in Cape Town has left at least 76 people dead since January. The conflict is currently due to competition between the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and the Congress of Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) over access to transport routes.
Advice
Avoid all protests. Monitor local media and liaise with trusted contacts for further information on protest locations. Exercise caution in areas that have experienced taxi-related violence and near all minibus taxi ranks. Plan for increased demand on alternative public transport services.
