SUMMARY
Codeta (Cape Organization for a Democratic Taxi Association) was formed in 1992, when two rivalling taxi associations, Lagunya and Webta, decided to merge. This merger was preceded by a violent conflict between the two organisations (for more information about this conflict, see its description in the database). The formation of Codeta enabled a brief period of calm in the Cape taxi world, but soon other umbrella organisations formed, and violence between different taxi umbrella organisations flared up again. Within Codeta, members stayed aligned to the original organisations, Lagunya or Webta. In 1994, the tension between Webta and Lagunya members within Codeta rose as a result of a difference of opinion on the construction of a new taxi deck in Cape Town. Former Webta members were concerned that this would confuse commuters, but their concerns were ignored by the Codeta executive officers. This resulted in the breakaway of CATA (Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association). Codeta is said to have weak ties to the ANC (African National Congress).
All taxi association umbrella organisations, including Codeta, are organized very hierarchically. From the bottom to the top, the organisations include ramp workers, taxi drivers, taxi owners, local or long distance associations of taxi owners, hit-squads and umbrella organisation executives. The overarching umbrella organisations are however difficult to define, all organizational structures differ and are based on historical alliances. Most of the violence between the taxi associations can be traced back to the executive officers of the umbrella organisations. Apart from frequently using violence against other umbrella organisations, they also at times target their own members in order to instil compliance. The real beneficiaries of the South African 10 Billion Rand taxi industry are the executives of the umbrella organisations. More specific details on Codeta’s leadership are hard, if not impossible, to find.
Codeta has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.
