Johnathan Paoli
THE Western Cape High court on Sunday granted an interim interdict against the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco), preventing taxi operators from intimidating and interfering with Golden Arrow bus drivers while the taxi strike is underway.
Chairman of the Golden Bus Services chairperson Yunis Shaik, said since the stay-away began, the company had lost six buses, each worth millions, due to arson attacks.
“We are very pleased that the judge approved the order, in which he expressly states the taxi association is to stop intimidating, harassing and destroying the property of Golden Arrow or hurting its employees,” Shaik said.
The judge found that the taxi strikers had a knock on effect on the surrounding economy with disruptions of transport.
The order applies to Santaco and its affiliates namely; the Cape Organisation of Democratic Taxi Association, Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association, Boland Taxi Association, Greater Cape Town Taxi Association, Mitchells Plain Taxi Association, Two Oceans Taxi Association, Northern Regions Taxi Association and 158 local taxi associations affiliated with the above associations.
Shaik went on to describe the security upgrades that will be undertaken, including police escort and heightened video surveillance.
Santaco’s counsel, advocate Morne Basson, confirmed the council’s commitment and compliance with the court order.
“We can assure the general public that Santaco is trying their very best to try and mediate the situation. The unrest and the damage that occurred, and unfortunately the one person that passed away, is of great concern to the organisation which regrets what happened,” Basson added.
Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) is a major public transport bus service operator for Cape Town, South Africa, providing commuter bus services throughout a large part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan area.
INSIDE METROS
