​By King Mthombeni
Retired judge Jeremiah Shongwe was announced as head of the Gauteng Public Transport Arbitration Office on Thursday, 04 August 2022. The announcement was made by MEC Jacob Mamabolo in Parktown, Johannesburg. 
The office has been established in consultation with relevant stakeholders in the public transport sector in line with the outcome of the Gauteng Taxi Summit. The summit was held in 2019. 
Appointing the retired judge is illustrative of the provincial government's commitment to bring stability in the public transport sector, especially in the minibus taxi industry.
"This appointment showcases provincial government's efforts to modernise the minibus taxi industry through the introduction of innovative ways of resolving disputes. This in line with our Gauteng City Region's Smart Mobility vision of integrating all public modes of transport in the province" said the MEC.
The office is mainly tasked with mediation of transport-related disputes. This is in support of the 06Administration's vision of public transport integration to bring about a seamless, reliable and affordable public transport system for residents of Gauteng.
MEC Mamabolo also welcomed the secondment of Gauteng Public Transport Intervention Unit to the Department as recommended by the Commission of Inquiry into Taxi Violence.
Thirty-nine (39) law-enforcement officials from the Department of Community Safety's Public Transport Intervention Unit were seconded to the Department in July to discharge public transport monitoring functions.
"We welcome this secondment of law enforcement unit to assist us with enforcement of arbitration awards and addressing public transport-related issues. Their secondment will empower the work of this office, now with a dedicated law-enforcement arm to ensure awards are enforced or implemented" said the MEC.