There is one less thing to worry about for long-distance taxi commuters after the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA), announced that their taxi fare will not be increased for the festive season.

The association held its end-of-the-year function at OR Tambo Hall in Khayelitsha on Thursday November 14.

Usually the association increases their fare by R50 during this time of the year for their long-distance trips across the province.

Codeta president Fikile George said the gathering was an opportunity to address their members about the highlights and challenges of the past year.

He said they did not lose any of their members in gun-related violence and there were no major quarrels or differences with other taxi associations.

A sense of peace and brotherhood has prevailed among his members and other taxi associations, said Mr George, which signals that the taxi industry is heading in the right direction.

However, he said the biggest challenge they keep facing is with the City of Cape Town which he accused of targeting this black-owned industry.

He said extortion crime-related incidents were also tarnishing the name of their industry because in some cases they are seen or apprehended unlawfully for allegedly extorting money from Somali-owned shops.

He called on his members to alert the association about such incidents and urged the public to inform them and the police about such cases. He said the association distances itself from such crimes.

‘“I want Codeta to be known as a peaceful and law-abiding organisation. We want to do away with the false image that taxi owners are unreasonable people who don’t care about their commuters.

“Without the community, commuters and community stakeholders, there is no taxi industry. We are human beings and we want to be treated as such. We are not hooligans and we are approachable and we are reasonable.”

Mr George, who has been in the industry for over two decades, described his leadership style as consultative and as having an open door policy for everyone. He said gone are the days when taxi owners were mean and disrespectful.

He called on the public not to be scared to report their taxi drivers when they abuse or violate their rights.

South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) provincial chairperson, Mandla Hermanus, said as the body that represents the interest of taxi operators, the past two years have been their toughest in office.

He said there were many challenges and battles they fought against the “unjust laws” put up by the City.

However, he said the taxi operators also have the responsibility to ensure that taxis are in good condition and roadworthy.

He said local and long distance fares will not be increased after they held engagements with the two biggest taxi associations in the province.

He said during the festive season, taxis were the contributing factor in many major accidents on the road due to the pressure put by owners on their drivers as they wanted to have more trips for bigger returns.

As a result, he said many drivers do not sleep because they are chasing a target and they are gambling with people’s lives.

Build One South Africa (BOSA) president, Mmusi Maimane, said it is time that taxi industry is subsided by the government.

He said the taxi industry contributes billions to the country’s economy and has created many job opportunities and yet the government is sluggish in terms of providing the much needed support.

Traditional leaders and pastors were among the dignitaries invited by Codeta.