Johnathan Paoli
THE Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni added her voice to the litany of official condemnations of the ongoing violent minibus taxi strike in Cape Town.
Ntshaveni was giving a report from the 8 August Cabinet Meeting where she gave a briefing on the City of Cape Towns’ imposition of taxi operating conditions which she said are at variance with both the National Road Traffic, 1996 (Act 93 of 1996) and the National Land Transport Act, 2009 (Act 5 of 2009), which regulate the traffic offences and applicable penalties, including the impounding of vehicles.
“Cabinet condemns the violence and anarchy in Cape Town and has called on Santaco to ensure that its protest action is peaceful and does not interfere with the rights of others. In this regard, we have noted that there were no violent incidents in the last 48-hours.
“However, members of the South African Police Service and other law-enforcement agencies have been directed to ensure the violent situation is under control to allow residents safe movement to school, work and their normal daily activities,” the Minister said.
The ATM also condemned the protest action but said it was an inevitable consequence of what many have called the violent mistreatment and disregard the DA-led administration has shown against the marginalised and voiceless people of Cape Town.
The party claimed that the increasing unfair treatment and abuse this particular section of the industry has faced over the years, has culminated in a manifestation of violent eruption, that matters have reached a boiling point of sorts.
In addition, ATM called out the manner in which the violent treatment by the police service has exacerbated the situation, and called for a more effective approach in dealing with the potential bias and undue influence this might have on the taxi industry.
The party furthermore called upon all relevant stakeholders to participate in meaningful dialogue and negotiations in order to bring this conflict to a hasty end, specifically calling attention to the need for empathy and consideration of taxi operators as well as the needs of commuters and the broader implications for both government and the economy.
While defending and praising South Africa’s long history and protection of peaceful protest, the party went on to condemn the violent nature of the recent strike action and implored on all parties to actively seek non-violent solutions to the challenges they face.
In conclusion, the ATM expressed their solidarity with others in standing against the violence that has arisen from the taxi strike and furthermore held the DA-held government accountable for allowing, and in many ways causing, the current conflict and anarchy; and called for a constructive and collaborative approach to find a solution to the current malaise.
INSIDE POLITICS
