The Western Cape High Court has ordered rival taxi associations CATA and CODETA to immediately stop violence, intimidation, and unlawful route takeovers, as authorities move to contain a conflict that has disrupted public transport in Cape Town. The interim interdict prohibits a range of conduct, including road blockades, attacks on public and private transport, property damage, and the use of threats to collect money. This order aims to protect commuters and lawful public transport operations.
The court's order follows a recent surge in violence, including a shooting at the Palm taxi rank in Delft on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, which triggered chaotic scenes, an attack on two minibus taxis, and the temporary closure of the R300 near Samora Machel. The South African Police Service in the Western Cape is investigating several shootings and killings of taxi operators and owners during the same period. These incidents have prompted the Western Cape Mobility Department to approach the court for intervention.
The interdict is provisional, but its restrictions must be followed immediately. Under the rule nisi, the respondents, including the leadership of CATA and CODETA, have until 10am on 20 November 2026 to show why the order should not be made final. The department has also placed restrictions on firearms and dangerous weapons at and around transport facilities, as well as in minibus taxis operating on the relevant routes.
The department has instructed the cited office bearers to communicate the order to their affiliated associations and members within 24 hours of being served. They must also instruct members in writing to comply and publicly call for an end to the violence. Within three days of being served, they must submit a sworn report providing proof of the steps taken to comply with the order.
In a separate regulatory action, the department has restricted CATA from registering vehicles for its Langa Inter-township Taxi Association for six months. This decision follows the deadly ambush of two taxi owners at the Epping taxi rank in Cape Town on 16 October 2026. The department found that CATA had knowingly permitted unlawful route invasions and failed to take reasonable steps to stop them or properly control its drivers and members.
The Western Cape Mobility Department and provincial stakeholders are due to meet CATA and CODETA again on Monday, 2 November, in an effort to resolve the conflict. This meeting follows CATA's failure to attend urgent talks on Thursday. Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku has warned that the department has a responsibility to protect public transport users and ensure lawful taxi operators can work without fear.
MEC Sileku urged both associations to take responsibility, end the violence, and resolve their disputes peacefully. The department is working to ensure that commuters can use public transport without fear of violence or disruption. The court order and regulatory actions aim to bring stability to the taxi industry in Cape Town and prevent further violence.
Key points
- The Western Cape High Court has issued an interim interdict to halt violence, intimidation, and unlawful route takeovers by rival taxi associations CATA and CODETA.
- The interdict prohibits a range of conduct, including road blockades, attacks on public and private transport, and property damage.
- CATA has been restricted from registering vehicles for its Langa Inter-township Taxi Association for six months due to its failure to prevent unlawful route invasions and violent activities.
