The Eastern Cape MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Xolile Nqatha, has warned of a potential closure of the Port St Johns Taxi Rank, citing continued disputes among taxi operators and unresponsive leadership structures.
MEC Nqatha clarified that, despite circulating voice notes on social media claiming the rank has been closed, no closure has taken place yet. He said he had formally communicated with taxi association leaders, outlining his intention to take “extraordinary measures” under the National Land Transport Act No. 5 of 2009, as amended.
The proposed action comes after prolonged instability within the Port St Johns Taxi Association. According to the MEC, the association’s elected leadership term expired last year, and efforts by the department to facilitate the election of a new leadership structure collapsed due to internal disagreements.
MEC Nqatha, accompanied by departmental officials, the Mayor, councillors, and the Border Alliance Provincial Leadership, attempted to convene an elective meeting for an interim structure, but the meeting also failed.
“The MEC followed all the required steps under Section 91(1) of the National Land Transport Act,” said the department spokesperson Unathi Binqose.
It is reported that despite consultations, some taxi operators reported being blocked from operating, while others allegedly demanded R50,000 in exchange for access to the rank.
Letters were subsequently sent to the individuals implicated, giving them seven days to provide justification for why their operator licenses should not be revoked. MEC Nqatha said only one individual responded—and that response included insults directed at both him and the mayor.
The MEC has indicated he may close the rank and revoke operator licenses, emphasizing that the taxi rank is government property and all licenses issued remain under state authority until compliance is achieved. A gazette has been issued for public comment, but thus far, the only response has been the incendiary voice notes circulating online.
No tags for this post.
