Violence escalates in Cape Town taxi strike

Following a taxi strike that began at midday on Thursday, three Golden Arrow buses were set ablaze in Nyanga and Philippi, causing chaos in Cape town.

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The strike was initiated by a meeting at the Desmond Tutu Sports Centre, where the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco), resolved to immediately stop taxis from operating.

WHAT ANGERED SANTACO?

The chairperson of Santaco, Mandla Hermanus, told members during the meeting that a stayaway was the only solution.

“Santaco has resolved that our taxis should be pulled from all ranks in the region. Wherever they are, they must all go home until 9 August – and our operation will resume 10 August,” said Hermanus.

ALSO READ: [WATCH]Taxi Strike: Buses and E-hailing cars go up in flames

The City of Cape Town’s operations in the CBD on Tuesday sparked this huge strike, with taxis impounded and drivers allegedly beaten.

A taxi driver was shot in the leg by an officer on Wednesday, and instead of obtaining prompt medical assistance, he was transported to the police cells.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Taxi Strike left thousands stranded [VIDEO]

Hermanus emphasized his dismay and said, everyone saw what the officials did. They did not only abuse our drivers, but they also destroyed the vehicle to demonstrate their disrespect for us.

“No one from the government has come out and condemned the behaviour of the officials who attacked our drivers,” he said.

HOW THE TAXI STRIKE GOT VIOLENT

The situation quickly became violent when law enforcement officers and Golden Arrow buses became targets of the striking taxi drivers.
Additionally, business vehicles were stoned, and a third bus was burned on Lansdowne Road Philippi.

Bheki Cele, the police minister, urged people to calm down, and the taxi association together with the government to try and resolve the problem.

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“Allow people to live their lives, and the taxi associations in collaboration with the Western Cape government must resolve the issue,” said Cele.