Cape Town – Taxi drivers affiliated to the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) and the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) embarked on a strike that caused congestion on the N2 on Thursday morning in Cape Town.
According to News24, over 2 000 taxi operators from Nyanga and Khayelitsha took part in the strike.
The drivers marched to the premier’s office to hand over a list of grievances, which included the impoundment of taxis, and the authorities’ failure to issue operating licences
Traffic has been badly affected this morning due to the #TaxiStrike. Here over a thousand of minibus taxis driving slow on the N2 heading to the provincial legislature in Wale Street. pic.twitter.com/7L06jkghJ8
— Veve (@LudidiVelani) March 24, 2022
“Like where a new mall has been opened, I will make an example of Brackengate where huge warehouses are there. No operating licences have yet been issued, we are saying the government must issue taxi operators with temporary permits so that they can at least provide a service without the risk of being impounded,” said Cata’s Mandla Hermanus as quoted by EWN.
Although it had been said, according to IOL, that trains and buses were expected to continue as normal, there were reports of buses set alight in Nyanga, as well as reports of taxis blocking the N2 in Khayelitsha and Kraaifontein.
ALSO READ: WATCH | KZN driving school protesters demand ‘recognition’
Police said in a statement that circumstances surrounding the public violence incidents were being investigated by detectives, and arrests were yet to be made.
In the meantime, heightened security measures have been put in place, police said.
“En-route to the Cape Town CBD incidents of violence have been recorded where busses and trucks have damaged in area such as Nyanga and Kraaifontein.
“One bus has been torched while others have been stoned. As the circumstances surrounding the public violence incidents are being investigated by detectives, arrests are yet to be made.
“Heightened security measures will be maintained until we are satisfied that stability has been restored and that the situation has been normalized,” police said.
The strike was authorised by the city for Thursday.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Twitter/ @Lxngelo
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
