“This can no longer be defined as a strike” – JP Smith

City of Cape Town MMC for for Safety and Security JP Smith has reflected on the ongoing taxi violence in the city, no longer defining the mayhem as a ‘strike’.

MMC JP SMITH CALLS A SPADE A SPADE AS STRIKE CONTINUES

“This can no longer be defined as a strike when any enforcement agency is threatened with violence and told to stop enforcing the law against a select grouping, or else to face their consequences, then it is a direct threat against the freedom of all South Africans,” he said, reminding all that, “Our Constitution maintains we are all equal before the law.”

Smith has been on the ground since the violence broke out in the Western Cape under the disguise of a taxi stay-away last Thursday, 3 August.

ALSO READ: Cape Town Taxi Violence: Children used in anarchy front line

THE SO-CALLED STAY-AWAY DISASTER

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) in the Western Cape called an immediate stay-away last week which has sparked violence and cost a number of lives.

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“Increasingly I am feeling they are not dealing with an industry here but an organised crime syndicate.” – JP Smith

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CITY OF CAPE TOWN VOWS TO END THE CLASHES

He added that the City will bring the strike to a close in the interest of the commuters but not at the risk and cost of forfeiting the application of the law and having safe roads. “We cannot make concessions around the application of law enforcement and equally before the law for all users of our roads. Dangerous driving cannot be overseen just because of the threat of violence if enforcement is done. So we will hold that line because the South Africa we face if we make a concession to this will be a much more problematic place than we are in now,” he explained.

“It hard to understand that an organisation could intentionally in a premeditated manner decide to bring the reputation of our country to disrepute with international visitors, but they have shown disregard for the safety and lives and comfort of residents who live in their own city and public commuters,” Smith lamented.

Lastly, enforcement agencies have made over 35 arrests amid ongoing taxi strike.

ALSO READ: Western Cape taxi strike: Stay-away to last until 9 August – SANTACO