Africa-Press – South-Africa. The South African National Taxi Association (Santaco), which is spearheading a minibus taxi strike that turned violent in Cape Town on Monday, said it won’t back down from its “stay away” action.
The strike action follows the Western Cape government’s decision to cancel its Blue Dot taxi project.
Makhosandile Tumana, provincial Santaco spokesperson, said their members had refused to transport taxi commuters.
“We, as Santaco, withheld our vans and services in the Western Cape for commuters and we have distanced ourselves and condemn any violence by any operators,” Tumana said.
He added that those who used violence did so of their own accord.
Mobility MEC Daylin Mitchell condemned the violence.
“We cannot allow this kind of violence and intimidation against commuters,” he said.
Mitchell said law enforcement had maintained a visible presence in identified hotspots, including Khayelitsha, Du Noon, and Hout Bay.
Meanwhile, Education MEC David Maynier said the strike had affected schools.
“The taxi strike has had a negative impact on our schools, but initial indications suggest that there has not been widespread disruption of matric exams today,” Maynier said.
“This is a testament to the preparations our schools and districts have made to ensure that our candidates could get to their exams safely,” he said.
He added that some candidates wrote their exams at centres where they were not registered, and had been assisted by staff.
The transport chaos left thousands of commuters stranded, and forced the City of Cape Town to withdraw the MyCiTi bus services operations in several areas.
The city’s mayoral committee member for transport Rob Quintas said the N2 express service in Khayelitsha and MyCiTi service deviations in suburbs like Dunoon and surrounding areas, as well as Hout Bay, were suspended.
He said:
On Monday morning, three MyCiTi buses and one Golden Arrow bus were set alight.
Police spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk said police were investigating a case of malicious damage to property after a bus was burnt at about 06:00 on Monday in Japhta Masemola Road, Town Two.
“The bus was transporting passengers when it was attacked and set alight by unknown suspects. No injuries were reported,” he said.
Van Wyk said in an incident at Oscar Mpetha Road in Kuyasa, also at about 06:00, a bus driver was shot at, and a passenger was shot and injured.
He said police were investigating a case of attempted murder and were still tracing the victim, who was rushed to hospital.
“There are no arrests as yet in both incidents. Investigations continue,” he added.
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