Taxi Strike: Nearly 300 000 learners stay at home

Just two days in, and the taxi strike in the Western Cape has had a knockout on effect with various industries including education. According to the Western Cape Education Department 287 420 learners have been kept from school. This includes learners who depend on public transport as well as learners who use private vehicles but are kept at home as parents fear for their safety.

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EDUCATION DEPARTMENT THREATENED WITH LEGAL ACTION

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) immediately recalled all takes in the province on Thursday, creating chaos in the City, with thousands forced to walk home.

In the few days since it has started, cars, buses and an ambulance have been torched. Private vehicles been stoned with trains cancelled on certain routes.

ALSO READ: Law enforcement officer killed during mini-bus taxi violence

The department has warned of legal action against SANTACO and taxi associations, should they discover that learners are being intimidated in any way.

“We want to make it clear that if we see any acts of intimidation of learners travelling to school, or of our contracted Learner Transport Scheme busses, we will not hesitate to approach the court for another interdict against the minibus taxi associations”, says WCED Minister David Maynier.

RESIDENTS AND SCHOOLS OPEN UP TO STRANDED LEARNERS AND STAFF

ALSO READ: Violent escalates in the Cape Town taxi strike

Maynier added that taxi bosses did not take into account the effects of the stay away and that leaving children stranded is unforgivable. However, the minister did reveal that communities and schools did lend a helping hand to those who were affected by the strike.

• Mowbray residents rallied together to assist 11 learners from Thandokhulu High School who were stranded, by providing food and sleeping materials.
• Four learners from Silverlea Primary School and Garlandale High School, who live in Khayelitsha, could not make it home. WCED officials sprang into action to put them up in a guest house and arranged meals and toiletries.
• At Noluthando School for the Deaf, 16 learners could not travel home out of Khayelitsha, so the school arranged for them to spend the night at a teacher’s house.
• Wynberg Girls High School opened their hostel to learners and staff who could not make it home yesterday. 15 learners and 5 security guards spent the night safely in the hostel.

ALSO READ: WATCH: ‘They are waiting to burn our cars’ – Uber drivers on taxi strikers [VIDEO]

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