Cape Town – Police Minister Bheki Cele has denied allegations that he encouraged the violent Western Cape taxi strike, which has led to deaths.
Cele clarified that his attendance at a meeting with taxi industry stakeholders was to prevent and address potential actions that could harm citizens.
He dismissed accusations of agitating the strike as nonsensical.
“I want to again set the record straight, with regard to my attendance at a meeting with taxi industry role players. It is within the mandate of the ministry responsible for preventing, combating and investigating crime to intervene and avert planned cause of action that may adversely affect citizens. At no point will I as the National Minister of Police agitate for strike as has been suggested by officials of the City (Cape Town), especially JP Smith and the mayor of the City,” Cele said.
He added: “No Minister could have gone there to agitate the strike and it is nonsensical that I could be accused of that.”
In his presence, Police Minister Bheki Cele called out the Mayor of Cape Town for making “nonsensecal statements” against him 🔥
Ziyakhala 😂😂
JP Smith’s name also appeared 💀 #Taxistrike pic.twitter.com/myvPuSTFDH
— TK_Nala (Parody) (@ThokozaneNala) August 8, 2023
Cele said this on Tuesday while briefing the media after assessing the situation.
The strike has resulted in fatalities, including a British national, prompting travel warnings from the UK, IOL reported.
A total of 26 deaths have been reported, with over 120 arrests for offences like property damage and violence.
Cele emphasised the need for negotiations and said that police are on high alert to respond to any developments.
But Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said as long as violence persists in the city, they won’t have engagements with taxi operators.
📢 Bheki Cele you can negotiate with criminals, we won’t! Watch as the Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis stands for the rule of law on the #TaxiStrike.
“We are protecting residents. We cannot negotiate which portions of the law will apply to some people and not to others.” pic.twitter.com/KQ57pb9nSe
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) August 8, 2023
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
