MMC for Public Safety Cllr Mgcini Tshwaku intervenes in ongoing Soweto taxi conflicts

On Wednesday, 7 June 2023, the Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Mgcini Tshwaku, together with the MMC for Transport, Cllr Kenny Kunene, met members of SAPS, taxi associations of Soweto and representatives from e-hailing services in an effort to resolve the ongoing conflict between the taxi associations and e-hailing drivers.

This meeting was in response to last week’s incident where three e-hailing vehicles were burnt at Maponya Mall in Soweto due to a conflict that was caused by people posing as e-hailing drivers.

A committee that consists of MMCs, taxi associations, e-hailing, and other stakeholders was established. The committee was in all-day consultation meetings and some of the resolutions were:

1. JMPD and SAPS to assist in guarding the malls and identify e-hailers who are not registered. We appeal to community members to refuse when they are approached by these non-registered e-hailing drivers.

2. Uber taxis will do drop offs at the gate, they will enter only to drop off and pick up the elderly, disabled and mothers of new-born babies.

3. The committee will meet on Friday to establish its terms of reference.