Cape Town – Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has announced that his provincial government is taking legal action and seeking an interdict against striking taxi operators in collaboration with the City of Cape Town.
The taxi operators have been protesting since Thursday, resulting in the burning of buses and city resources.
Despite urgent negotiations, no resolution has been reached.
The strike has caused disruption to residents’ daily routines, including work, school, and access to essential services.
The government aims to address the situation through legal measures, condemning the violence and destruction of property associated with the strike.
“I am angry that as a result of the strike, residents have been unable to get home to their families or to work, school, shops, clinics and other critical sites. Many government services, including health and social development, are having to close facilities and are unable to provide desperately needed services to our communities,” he said.
Chaos erupts between Taxi drivers and Western town law enforcement agencies. The Premier Alan Winde said he’s very angry that Western Cape residents are not safe during the Taxi Strike.
[TSHEGO] pic.twitter.com/CCzK4cPPhh
— TSHEGO (@TSHEGOMEDIA2021) August 7, 2023
“Our schooling system is also being affected. This is not acceptable,” said Winde.
He added: “We welcome Santaco’s condemnation of the levels of violence associated with the strike. However, we remain deeply concerned by the violence, loss of life and destruction of property that has been associated with the strike. SANTACO’s leadership must ensure that the violence associated with the strike ends immediately. We also note and support the interdict granted by the Western Cape High Court to Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) against Santaco and its affiliates. The Western Cape Government is also pursuing legal action, along with the City of Cape Town, to interdict the violence.
“The ongoing violence is making it very difficult for negotiations to proceed. We are a government that stands for the rule of law. A withdrawal of services is an important Constitutional right, but violence, intimidation and destruction of property are not. This is non-negotiable. We want to bring all stakeholders back to the negotiations, but this has to be in an environment of calm. We must also not allow this issue to be politicised as this will only further complicate matters.”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
35 held as taxi strike violence rocks Cape Town
Cape Town – Several health facilities have been shut down due to a taxi strike in Cape Town, a report said on Monday.
According to News24, staff members have been unable to reach work due to road closures and instances of violence, affecting hospitals like Tygerberg, Red Cross, and Groote Schuur.
Emergency surgeries are the only procedures being conducted at these hospitals, and outpatients are advised to attend appointments only if it’s safe.
Various Community Health Centres and clinics in areas like Phillipi, Nyanga, Crossroads, Nolungile, and Gugulethu have been closed, disrupting community-based care.
The situation is being closely monitored, and updates will be provided regarding healthcare provision changes.
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35 held as taxi strike violence rocks Cape Town
Cape Town – Police in Cape Town have arrested 35 individuals in connection with violent acts tied to an ongoing taxi strike.
Of these arrests, 27 are linked to a taxi blockade that caused significant traffic disruptions on the N2 highway, the City of Cape Town said.
Eight taxi drivers were detained in Mfuleni.
The City has expressed concern over attempts by certain elements within the taxi industry to create chaos.
“We have witnessed attempts by elements within the taxi industry to generate chaos in our city,” the City said.
The incidents on Monday involved the torching of four Golden Arrow buses, destruction of four private vehicles by fire, torching of two trucks at a city depot, and the hijacking of a city vehicle.
There was also an altercation between metro police officers and protesters near the airport.
Cape Town – #TaxiStrike N2 Inbound: ROAD BLOCKED at the Airport exit pic.twitter.com/7yseher6xY
— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) August 7, 2023
The violence follows prior incidents, including the murder of a Leap officer and attacks on City of Cape Town vehicles.
Authorities suspect some of the violence was premeditated and are collaborating with the police to address the situation and ensure safety for commuters and the public.
Joint efforts are being coordinated through a central operations centre.
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Taxi strike: One dead, 3 injured as motorist allegedly fires at stone-throwing protesters
Cape Town – One person was killed and three others were injured during a taxi strike in Cape Town on Monday.
The incident occurred when a motorist was attacked by individuals throwing stones at vehicles.
In response, the driver fired shots, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to three others.
“An individual was shot dead and three others injured after a motorist was pelted with stones on Airport Approach. The driver allegedly responded to the attack by firing several shots. As a result, a death and three injuries were recorded. A murder and attempted murder cases are being investigated,” said police spokesperson Brig Novela Potelwa.
The police are investigating the incident as a murder and attempted murder, and the identity of the deceased person has not yet been established.
“Police deployments with the City of Cape Town’s metro police, law enforcement and traffic services are deployed at identified hotspots. Additional forces including air support are en route to a locations where traffic interruptions and other incidents have been reported,” Potelwa added.
Meanwhile, three Golden Arrow buses were set ablaze shortly after the company received a court order to curb the unrest.
Cape Town – N2 Inbound: #TaxiStrike BUS FIRE at the Borcherds Quarry Road exit – AVOID N2 Inbound from Khayelitsha pic.twitter.com/RE0WyDOLPv
— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) August 7, 2023
Premier Alan Winde expressed dismay at the violence, which occurred alongside the strike.
More disturbances ensued, causing road closures and delays in traffic.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) halted talks to end the standoff, extending the strike until August 9.
“We are open to talks with government to find a speedy resolution to the issues and we call on all our operators not to interfere with other modes of transport and not to take part in any criminal activities,” said Santaco.
Winde condemned the violence’s impact on the economy and essential services and urged a swift resolution to the dispute.
“I am appalled at the scale of violence that has not only dealt a severe blow to our economy and critical services but has also delegitimised and damaged Santaco WC’s cause. This violence and damage to property has continued this morning,” Winde said.
📢 Media Release: Premier Winde appalled at impact of taxi strike on Western Cape Government services.
7 August 2023 pic.twitter.com/sJYF7rFR5m
— Premier Alan Winde 🇿🇦 (@alanwinde) August 7, 2023
Since the strike’s commencement, nine buses were burnt, and city vehicles were destroyed.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
