“The taxi strike is affecting my whole life because currently I am losing money, because no work, no pay.
So says Wendell Adams, a commuter who is one of thousands of people currently left stranded by the ongoing taxi strike.
On Thursday 3 August, the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) withdrew its services with immediate effect following a meeting between eight regional associations. The taxi industry is at loggerheads with the City of Cape Town law-enforcement department over vehicle impoundments.
Adams said: “I have two kids and a wife. I couldn’t go to work on Friday. So I am losing money. The taxi industry does not care about its customers. If you try and make use of alternative transport, then they are rude. So taking a bus is out of the question. My father-in-law must probably take me to work, then it’s petrol money, which is triple the price. I am just losing money because of this strike and it’s not right.”
Another commuter, who wants to remain anonymous, says: “The past few days have been hectic and expensive due to the taxi strike. I have had to use my bicycle and make use of e-hailing services. I did not use my bike over the weekend though because it’s too quiet in the mornings and it is very dangerous.
“The e-hailing services, however, took very long to accept my requests. The fact that I stay in a high-risk area was the main factor and the prices increased by 50 to 100% at times, especially over a weekend. But I had no other choice I had to get to work the bosses do not understand what we go through. They just expect you to show up and work.”
The strike entered day four yesterday (07 Monday) as talks to end the impasse reached a dead end on Sunday 6 August.
On Friday 4 August, a Cape Town Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officer was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Nyanga. The officer and his colleagues were conducting patrols in the area amid the strike and ensuing chaos.
Yesterday (Monday), a man was shot and killed near Borcherd’s Quarry.
Brig Novela Potelwa, the provincial police spokesperson, says: “An individual was shot dead and three others injured after a motorist was pelted with stones on Airport approach. The driver responded to the attack by firing several shots. As a result, a death and three injuries were recorded.”
Potelwa says murder and attempted murder cases are being investigated.
Yesterday chaos erupted around the city as sporadic incidents of violence were reported.
Four Golden Arrow buses, four private cars and two trucks were torched.
A City vehicle was hijacked in Samora Machel.
During the morning peak, 30 taxis blocked the N2 inbound at Borcherd’s Quarry.
The City says more than 30 people have been arrested for various offences.
JP Smith, the Mayco Member for Safety and Security, said: “We have seen the repeated comments from Santaco, urging its members to refrain from unbecoming conduct, but it is clear there has been a level of premeditation in the actions we’ve witnessed over the past few days, with our enforcement staff removing piles of rocks and tyres along the N2 on Sunday.
“There have also been clear attempts to target City staff and infrastructure, as witnessed by the murder of a LEAP officer in Nyanga on Friday evening, and the targeting of City vehicles since.
Smith appeals to those with information about those behind the violence to report it to the city’s tip-off line on 0800 110077.
Santaco said in a statement it remained open to talks with local government to find a solution to the issues.
“The stay-away will continue until Wednesday 9 August. We call on all our operators not to interfere with other modes of transport and not take part in any criminal activities,” reads the statement.
On Sunday Golden Arrow secured a court order against Santaco as a result of the intimidation and harassment as well as acts of vandalism directed towards its employees, passengers and buses.
In a press statement, the bus service said: “Having read the papers filed by Golden Arrow and following an agreement between Golden Arrow (the applicant) and the respondents (including Santaco and its eight affiliated members participating in the strike) it has been ordered by the Honourable Justice Gamble that the respondents are interdicted from intimidating, harassing, threatening or interfering with Golden Arrow, its employees and passengers. Respondents must take all reasonable steps to ensure that Golden Arrow is able to operate without interference.”
David Maynier, provincial education minister, says as a result of the strike more than 456 000 children missed school on Monday 7 August.
“Our contracted learner transport will continue to operate as best possible. It is truly unacceptable that our children’s education must suffer when they have already lost so much time to the pandemic.”
Maynier says schools are doing all they can to continue with teaching and learning, and he appeals to parents to make alternative arrangements to transport their children to school.
“We urge our school communities to report any harassment or intimidation of learners being transported to school so that we can take the appropriate legal action. We will not tolerate anyone preventing our children from accessing their constitutional right to education.”
Yesterday (Monday) Premier Alan Winde chaired a special provincial cabinet meeting to report back on the various interventions that have been underway since the start of the taxi strike.
He says despite urgent negotiations since last Thursday, there is “unfortunately still no resolution.”
Winde says cabinet will continue to meet daily.
“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. Our schooling system is also being affected. This is not acceptable.”
