DA welcomes High Court interdicting taxi industry blockade of scholar transport

2 March 2023

The DA welcomes yesterday’s ruling by the High Court in favour of the Western Cape Education Department. The ruling will see an end to extortionist protest action by sectors of the taxi industry, which has seen thousands of school pupils kept away from their classrooms for weeks.

Earlier this month, sectors of the taxi industry embarked upon protest action which saw them blockade important routes, and refuse to allow schoolchildren to pass. This resulted in more than 13 000 absences. At the intervention of the WCED and MEC David Maynier, the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) promised to lift the blockade temporarily. However, the blockade continued, resulting in almost 2000 further absences.

Left with no choice, MEC Maynier approached the Western Cape High Court to obtain an urgent interdict against CODETA, which has now been granted. This means that continuation of the blockade represents a direct contravention of a court order, and a criminal offence. As a result, pupils are today expected to return to the classroom in full for the first time in weeks.

DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Education Deidré Baartman said: “The DA in the Western Cape unequivocally welcomes yesterday’s court judgement. CODETA’s actions over the last few weeks have been nothing short of criminal, and we believed from the outset that any court would agree with Minister Maynier’s case. It is sickening that any industry would target the vital education of our children for the sake of profit.”

“I have addressed parliamentary questions to Minister Maynier to ensure that plans are in place for affected learners to catch up on the teaching that has been denied to them. I commend Minister Maynier on his swift action to end this crisis, and hope that yesterday’s judgement will end this tragic saga for good.”

Issued by Deidré Baartman, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Education, 2 March 2023