City to seek urgent interdict against taxi strike violence

3 August 2023

‘The City of Cape Town condemns the violence and disruption perpetrated by SANTACO associated drivers and operators today, following their call for a taxi stay away. We will work with the SAPS to enforce the law and hold anyone guilty of perpetrating public violence accountable. We will also not hesitate to lay a civil claim for any damages to infrastructure resulting from this strike.

‘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.

‘I am further concerned that this afternoon’s violence follows Police Minister Bheki Cele’s involvement in industry strike action talks today despite not being constitutionally responsible for Transport. That a Minister in government responsible for policing, could convene a meeting with the taxi industry that results in a strike call, knowing full well this will lead to violence, is unacceptable,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.

‘It is regretful that SANTACO has resolved to pull their vehicles from minibus-taxi ranks as of this afternoon. We are aware of violent protests that are happening near the Khayelitsha taxi rank, a bus has been set alight in Nyanga, MyCiTi bus passengers are being forced off buses, two Law Enforcement vehicles have been stoned in Khayelitsha and the N2 outbound is currently blocked by slow moving minibus-taxis. This is no longer a peaceful protest and we strongly condemn these actions. There is absolutely no need to endanger human lives, nor for interference with other vehicles on the road,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

Last week SANTACO withdrew from engagements with the City and the Western Cape Government (WCG). This afternoon SANTACO resolved to immediately cease operations based on what they deem unfair discriminatory practices towards minibus-taxis.

‘It is simply not true that the City is targeting minibus-taxi operators. Instead, we find that some minibus-taxis are unroadworthy, have a record of dangerous traffic violations, drivers do not have a basic driver’s licence and some of their vehicles are linked to criminal investigations. We keep an eye on these in the interests of their passenger safety.

‘We further understand that SANTACO would like the president of South Africa to personally intervene even though they were the ones who withdrew from our talks. We still urge SANTACO to return to the negotiations so that we can resolve these issues in a peaceful manner, in the interest of all operators, the industry in general, those employed by the industry, and most importantly, the thousands of commuters who rely on minibus-taxis to get to and from work,’ concluded Councillor Quintas.

During the course of this stay-away, the City will closely monitor routes and Law Enforcement will conduct regular patrols in the interest of the safety and security of commuters and public at large.

Those who rely on the minibus-taxi industry for commuting are advised to make alternative travel arrangements or arrange to work from home wherever possible over the next six days.

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.

We will keep the public informed during coming days as best we can.

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City urges minibus-taxi industry to refrain from violence, disruptions during stay-away, respect rule of law

3 August 2023

The City of Cape Town notes the decision taken by the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) to cease their services as of this afternoon, 3 August 2023, until Thursday, 10 August 2023, in the Western Cape. This decision will have a significant impact on commuters who will have to make alternative travel arrangements. Unfortunately, violent attacks and the disruption of transport services, have already been reported within hours of this decision. The City urges minibus-taxi operators and industry representatives to refrain from intimidation and violence, and disruption of other public transport services such as the MyCiTi bus service, e-hailing vehicles and other services that will be operating under pressure during the stay-away. Read more below:

‘It is regretful that SANTACO has resolved to pull their vehicles from minibus-taxi ranks as of this afternoon. We are aware of violent protests that are happening near the Khayelitsha taxi rank, a bus has been set alight in Nyanga, MyCiTi bus passengers are being forced off buses, two Law Enforcement vehicles have been stoned in Khayelitsha and the N2 outbound is currently blocked by slow moving minibus-taxis. This is no longer a peaceful protest and we strongly condemn these actions. There is absolutely no need to endanger human lives, nor for interference with other vehicles on the road,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

Last week SANTACO withdrew from engagements with the City and the Western Cape Government (WCG). This afternoon SANTACO resolved to immediately cease operations based on what they deem unfair discriminatory practices towards minibus-taxis.

‘It is simply not true that the City is targeting minibus-taxi operators. Instead, we find that some minibus-taxis are unroadworthy, have a record of dangerous traffic violations, drivers do not have a basic driver’s licence and some of their vehicles are linked to criminal investigations. We keep an eye on these in the interests of their passenger safety.

‘We further understand that SANTACO would like the president of South Africa to personally intervene even though they were the ones who withdrew from our talks. We still urge SANTACO to return to the negotiations so that we can resolve these issues in a peaceful manner, in the interest of all operators, the industry in general, those employed by the industry, and most importantly, the thousands of commuters who rely on minibus-taxis to get to and from work,’ concluded Councillor Quintas.

During the course of this stay-away, the City will closely monitor routes and Law Enforcement will conduct regular patrols in the interest of the safety and security of commuters and public at large.

Those who rely on the minibus-taxi industry for commuting are advised to make alternative travel arrangements or arrange to work from home wherever possible over the next six days.

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.

We will keep the public informed during coming days as best we can.

Issued by Media Office, City of Cape Town, 3 August 2023