The government has reaffirmed its commitment to the implementation of the bus rapid transit (BRT) system and warned the taxi industry on Thursday that it would not tolerate threats of violence.

Cabinet spokesperson Themba Maseko said that threats of violence and actual violent conduct were viewed in a "very serious light", warning that law enforcement agencies would not hesitate to take strong action.

This comes as the Taxi Association Forum (UTAF) reportedly filed an emergency court interdict in the North Gauteng High Court in an attempt to stop the launch of the Johannesburg BRT system, and calls by the South African National Taxi Council for national strike action next week.

Early on Thursday morning, deputy director-general of public transport George Mahlalela said that the department had not yet received any information regarding a court interdict to suspend the system.

The legal action comes only days after the Joburg Taxi Industry Negotiating Team for the Phase 1A contract of the BRT system said that it supported the public transport system "in principle".

The team comprised members of the taxi industry in Johannesburg who had been mandated to represent taxi owners from nine taxi associations that would be affected by the implementation of the BRT system.

The Greater Johannesburg Regional Taxi Council, the Top Six Taxi Organisation, the Gauteng Taxi Council and the Gauteng Structure of the National Taxi Alliance were also supporting the team.

However, the UTAF, Santaco and the National Taxi Association, were not in agreement with the Joburg Taxi Industry Negotiating Team.

On Thursday, Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane also warned taxi operators not to disrupt the Johannesburg BRT system.

BRT systems will be rolled out in 2010 FIFA World Cup host cities across the country and Cabinet said that all the cities had made "unequivocal commitments" to ensure that the affected taxi operators were consulted and would become an integral part of the BRT.

"Government fully appreciates the contribution made by the taxi industry over many decades in moving South Africans around the country. Hence our commitment to work with the industry to ensure that it is not marginalised," Maseko said.

The first phase of the Johannesburg BRT system will start operating on Sunday with a starter service from Lakeview station, in Soweto, to Ellis Park station, and an inner-city complementary service.

The main routes will use specialised buses running in dedicated lanes, stopping at stations, located about every 750 m along the way.

The R1,6-billion phase 1A of the Johannesburg system was initially set to be operational by June 14, before the start of the FIFA Confederations Cup, but some taxi drivers and operators have protested against its implementation.

- reporting by Chanel Pringle and Mariaan Webb