Cape Town – The City of Cape Town has applied for an urgent interdict against the taxi strike that saw parts of Cape Town descend into violence on Thursday.
IOL reports that violent protests broke out near the Khayelitsha taxi rank on Thursday night and that two law enforcement cars were stoned and two buses were set alight in Nyanga.
About 12 000 taxi drivers are striking after attempts by the City to impound unroadworthy minibus taxis under city by-laws, led to clashes between taxi drivers and law enforcement officials in the CBD on Tuesday..
As a result, the South African National African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) walked out of talks with the City and the Western Cape meant to address a number of challenges in the industry and called for an immediate week-long strike until 10 August.
According to SABC News, Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis condemned the violence.
“While we respect the right to peaceful protest, violence and intimidation have no place in Cape Town. City authorities are on high alert and we will not accept the blockading of routes and violent intimidation of peaceful commuters and non-striking transport operators,” he said.
SANTACO, meanwhile, urged the national Ministry of Transport to help solve the impasse.
We kindly urge that your Ministry joins us on the ground and plays a central role in resolving the impasse in the Western Cape. Statements of condemnation can only do so much. Our commuters don't deserve these inconveniences. https://t.co/Dxs06jYrxN
— SANTACO (@SA_Taxis) August 3, 2023
IOL reported that the City said on Thursday that people who relied on taxis to get to work were advised to find alternative transport or make plans to work from home.
“The City is in the process of deploying law enforcement officials to escort MyCiTi buses. Golden Arrow buses also continue to operate but under very high alert and are working closely with law enforcement,” Rob Quintas, the mayoral council member for urban mobility said.
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Compiled by: Robyn Leary
