How CODETA achieved zero fatalities on the roads this festive season

The Congress of Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) on Wednesday, January 27, welcomed the milestone achievement of recording zero road fatalities during the festive season.

The association's president, Fikile George, said they attributed this outcome to sustained road safety campaigns aimed at drivers and taxi owners, supported by prayer sessions and ongoing engagement within the industry.

Mr George said he was relieved that the association did not contribute to any loss of life during what is traditionally the busiest period on the roads.

Mr George described the achievement as unprecedented. “For the first time in history, Codeta has completed the festive season without a major accident resulting in fatalities,” he said.

Explaining how this was achieved, Mr George noted that prayer and direct engagement with drivers and taxi owners played a crucial role.

“Let me take you back to October 25, 2025, when we held a massive prayer session at the Mew Way Hall asking for divine intervention. We aimed to minimise fatalities, and we are grateful for achieving zero deaths. Yes, there were accidents, but no one lost their life in those incidents,” he said.

While welcoming the achievement, Mr George said that Codeta would intensify efforts to ensure this trend continues. “We respect life and want to preserve it. It is concerning when people do not reach their homes due to road accidents. We exist because of our commuters,” he said.

He urged commuters to report reckless driving, including speeding, smoking, or using mobile phones while driving, and thanked drivers for responding positively and adhering to road safety measures.

Codeta spokesperson Makhosandile Tumana said that the association is confident this record can be repeated. He said that Codeta would not rest on its laurels and would continue investing in driver training and discipline.

Commuters at the Kuwait taxi rank in Khayelitsha, where Codeta operates, also shared their views.

Nomava Ntloko said that she had not heard of any serious accidents during the festive season.

“If they have not recorded any deaths, that is big news—not just for them, but for everyone who uses taxis. This was the first year I did not hear bad news on the roads, especially about trips to the Eastern Cape,” she said.

Another commuter, Ziphozethu Mpilo, noted a visible change in the taxi industry. “Taxi owners and drivers were known for being rude, but that has changed. Before, you could not question a driver’s behaviour. Now you can. That is the change I’m talking about. It is possible they have not recorded any deaths,” he said.

CODETA further announced that it is working on introducing a toll-free number that commuters can use to report driver behaviour and promote accountability on the roads.

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