Rival Taxi Groups Face Suspension in Gauteng

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is set to gazette a notice suspending the operations of two rival Soweto taxi associations, WATA and Nanduwe, following a prolonged feud that has escalated into violent clashes.

Departmental spokesperson Lesiba Mpya cited recent incidents, including a Monday incident where high-calibre firearms were brandished, as the tipping point for the decision. Both associations have reportedly struggled to coexist peacefully on shared routes.

“As recent as Monday, there have been clips sent to us and queries that have been sent to us where high calibre firearms have been brandished and there are reports from both associations that they are finding it difficult to work with each other on those particular routes,” Mpya stated.

The rivalry between WATA and Nanduwe has persisted for several years, resulting in numerous shootouts in the Soweto area that have claimed multiple lives and left many others injured. The human cost of such violence extends far beyond the initial casualties, creating widows, orphans, and individuals with disabilities unable to provide for their families.

While clashes within the taxi industry often relate to disputes over routes, the escalating violence between these two associations has necessitated decisive action from the authorities to restore order and prioritize public safety.