Cape Town authorities have launched a 30-day closure of key minibus taxi routes from today, impounding six vehicles to curb a wave of deadly violence between rival taxi associations that has left multiple people dead in recent weeks.

The Western Cape government enacted the closures under Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act, targeting routes linking Mfuleni, Somerset West, Khayelitsha, Nomzamo, and Lwandle. Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku called the decision difficult but essential for protecting commuters and residents, emphasizing that community safety is the top priority. He stressed ongoing talks with the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) to find a lasting solution.

The closures stem from escalating tensions between the associations, marked by a series of shootings, including the killing of a taxi driver in Brown's Farm, Philippi, on Tuesday. At least a dozen deaths have been reported in the past week, prompting the provincial intervention.

The affected routes include M18 (Mfuleni to Somerset West), 611 (Khayelitsha to Somerset West), and several others, along with specific lanes at taxi ranks in the listed areas. To ease the burden on thousands of commuters who rely on taxis as a primary transport mode, Sileku announced that Golden Arrow Bus Services and Metrorail would offer alternative options. Other taxi ranks and routes will remain operational during the 30-day period.

The City of Cape Town has set up a joint operations center to monitor compliance, with police and traffic officials deployed to prevent illegal taxi operations. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) criticized the closures as "ill-considered" and poorly planned, warning of significant disruptions for workers, students, and those accessing essential services. Describing taxis as the "lifeblood" of Western Cape transport, COSATU called for an urgent review and a comprehensive plan to support affected commuters.

CODETA, one of the involved associations, expressed willingness to negotiate but is exploring legal action to challenge the closures, citing their impact on operators’ livelihoods. Sileku urged the groups to focus on peace talks rather than court battles, affirming the government’s commitment to exploring alternatives while enforcing the measures.