Lerato Mbhiza
Cape Town commuters who don’t own cars had to walk home after two buses were set alight as minibus drivers continue blocking roads, causing traffic jams and chaos general chaos as part of their strike or go-slow against the City’s transport officials.
Cape Town Premier Alan Winde has urged minibus taxi leaders to return to the table and work with the Western Cape Government and City of Cape Town to resolve the issues that caused the strike.
“We recognise the important role the minibus taxi sector plays in the public transport industry and economy. But calling a strike, that has been accompanied by violence, is not the answer to resolving the grievances of operators and drivers. This will be a blow to our shared economic growth and will impact the poor the hardest,” he said.
Winde expressed his disappointment at SANTACO-WC’s sudden withdrawal from the Minibus Taxi Task Team, which had been established with the CoCT to deal with issues raised by industry leaders. He added that long-term solutions are desperately needed but cannot be formulated under these circumstances.
“Violence is not the answer. You have the right to strike, but not to endanger the lives of residents and law enforcement officers and destroy property. The safety of commuters, the very lifeblood of the taxi industry, who are bearing the brunt of this violent protest action, is of paramount importance.
“Unfortunately, we are currently investigating legal action against the minibus taxi associations to interdict the violence associated with the strike. It is wholly unacceptable,” Winde said.
Western Cape Minister of Mobility Ricardo Mackenzie said he hoped SANTACO-WC will come back to the table so that the work of the Minibus Taxi Task Team can be put back on track.
“It is disappointing that industry leadership chose to suspend its participation in the Task Team, which was created in good faith to put our heads together and make progress on the pressing issues facing the industry.
“The solutions are not simple or instant, but we are tackling them regardless. We appreciate the complex challenges for minibus taxi operators, which link to the broader transportation crisis in South Africa.
“I trust that my colleagues in the national government will treat the matter of industry formalization as a matter of urgency and start fulfilling the commitments made in this regard.
“Our Mobility Department is working hard alongside City officials to resolve ongoing challenges where the availability of operating licenses has not enabled operations to meet the demand for transport.
“My team is also on the ground to address the issue of the B97 route as a matter of urgency. A survey has just been completed to ascertain the facts, which will determine any potential action to be taken as the regulator.”
“The WCG remains committed to assisting the minibus taxi industry wherever it can. “An optimally functioning and regulated taxi industry will ultimately benefit us all,” said the Premier.
Inside Politics
