The closure of the B97 route between Bellville and Paarl could be extended as rival taxi associations have yet to find a lasting solution for peace.

The Western Cape MEC for Mobility Daylin Mitchell intends on keeping the route close for another four months. However, he has opened this for comment.

Mitchell says they want operations to resume soon as possible but they cannot do that while there is uncertainty about safety. He adds that there must not be any chance of a member of the public being caught in violence that was witnessed in July last year. Several people were killed in shootings over the dispute between Codeta’s affiliate the Paarl Alliance Taxi Association and Cata Boland. Both claim rights to the lucrative B97 route.

There are plans to issue more operating licenses on the B97 route. However it’s unclear when this process would be completed.