Thousands of commuters across Cape Town were left scrambling for transport on Monday after taxi operations linked to Nyanga were halted over safety fears.

It is reported that the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) stopped services after a meeting on Sunday night. The association said the decision followed growing concern over violence in and around the Nyanga taxi rank.

The disruption did not only affect Nyanga — commuters in Bellville, Langa, Durbanville and Lwandle/Somerset West also felt the impact as routes were thrown into chaos.

Safety Fears After Violent Incidents

CATA spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi said the shutdown was not taken lightly. He said operators were trying to protect both drivers and passengers as attacks linked to taxi disputes had become unpredictable, with commuters also at risk. It is reported that operators were concerned about people being caught in the crossfire during shootings.

The shutdown comes after a serious arson attack at the Nyanga taxi rank, where nine vehicles were set alight in the early hours of Friday, 6 March. That incident added to rising tension in the area and deepened concerns about commuter safety.

Taxi Operators Demand Action

Taxi operators are now planning to march to the Nyanga police station. They want progress on unresolved shooting cases, tighter security at the rank and surveillance cameras to help identify those behind the attacks.

Authorities have also been urged to stay alert in Nyanga and Bellville, where many operating licences are linked to routes between the two areas.

Fresh pressure After Past Taxi Violence

The latest disruption comes just days after the Western Cape Government secured a High Court interdict aimed at protecting commuters from intimidation and illegal taxi operations. It also follows an agreement requiring taxi associations to give at least 36 hours’ notice before protest action.

For commuters, the shutdown means another day of uncertainty on already pressured public transport routes. For authorities, it is a fresh warning that violence in the taxi industry is still hitting ordinary residents the hardest.