CATA vs CODETA: what Cape Town's taxi route war means for your commute

CATA and CODETA are Cape Town's two biggest minibus taxi groupings, and they are fighting again over who may run which routes. Police have confirmed that 10 people have been shot in recent days in shootings allegedly linked to the tension, and peace talks on Thursday, 29 October 2026, went ahead without CATA. Both sides are due back at the table on Monday, 2 November.

Who are CATA and CODETA?

CATA is the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association and CODETA is the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association. Each is an umbrella for many local taxi associations whose members operate routes across the Cape Flats and beyond. Both fall under the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), which is trying to broker a deal.

Taxis in South Africa need an operating licence for specific routes. When two associations both claim the same route, rank or loading rights, the money at stake is large, and disputes have often turned violent.

What is the current dispute about?

This round started in Delft and centres on the Delft to Epping route, according to Vukani. Neither association has publicly set out the details. The Western Cape Department of Mobility says it is checking whether the associations have the legal right to operate on the affected routes and is seeking an urgent court order to clarify operating rights.

On Wednesday morning, 28 October, gunmen opened fire on commuters queueing at the Palm taxi rank in Delft. Police said two people were injured and the rank was shut down. Shootings in Mfuleni, Gugulethu and Khayelitsha the day before left three people dead, News24 reported.

Didn't they sign a peace deal?

Yes. On 4 September 2026 the two groups signed a peace and ceasefire agreement after government-led mediation. That deal followed a separate fight over the Khayelitsha to Somerset West route, where at least four taxi operators were killed in a single week in August. The province had already closed the Somerset West route in 2025 because of violence.

At the time, the Mobility Department warned it would take legal and enforcement action if either side broke the agreement.

What happened at Thursday's meeting?

Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku met CODETA and SANTACO on 29 October, with the City of Cape Town's Rob Quintas. CATA did not attend and said it had commitments outside the province. SANTACO spokesperson Makhosandile Tumana said the talks were moved to Monday and that drivers were asked to return to work in urban areas.

Before the meeting, Sileku said the associations "must agree that the shootings and killings are going to come to an end", or he would use whatever measures he has to deal with them, IOL reported.

CODETA chair Nceba Enge and CATA chair Nkululeko Sityebi have both apologised to passengers for the disruption.

What does this mean if you use taxis?

Sources: IOL, Scrolla

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Sizakhele Dyantyi said arrests have been made and cases are in court, and warned of more drastic measures if the violence continues or major roads are blocked.

The province has closed a contested route before, as it did with Somerset West in 2025. No closure has been announced for the Delft routes so far.

How do you report information?

If you have information about a shooting, the City of Cape Town runs an anonymous tip-off line, open 24 hours a day, on 0800 110077. You can also send tips through the MySAPS app (SAPS). In an emergency, call SAPS on 10111.