Lerato Mbhiza
The Minister of Transport Lydia sindisiwe Chikunga ordered the City of Cape Town to release back to the owners the minibus taxis impounded based on the National Road Traffic Act and keep those impounded for breaking law in terms of the National Land and Transport Act of 2009.
Labeling the City’s actions as arrogant, Chikunga blamed the DA-led City for exacerbating an already volatile situation by continuing to ‘illegally’ impound the taxis by unlawfully putting conditions to the country’s existing laws, in a press conference on Tuesday.
“We remain committed to moving with speed in finding an amicable solution that must enable the taxi industry to resume operation and call off the strike. Such an outcome is in the interest of the country and the industry.
“The national laws are in place to ensure that fair rules are applicable to all citizens irrespective of the City or Province they reside in. This is a constitutional mandate to ensure order and effectiveness of the rule of law.
“It can never be that a city will define itself outside the parameters of national laws and implement penalties that are uncoordinated with these laws. We therefore call on the City of Cape Town to respect and uphold national laws as they currently stand,” she said.
On Monday the Western Cape High Court granted the City of Cape Town and Golden Arrow Bus Services an interdict against the South African National Taxi Council amid the ongoing violent strike that has led to the death of one person and damage to vehicles which were torched in the townships.
Police have arrested 72 people so far for public violence.
The order by Judge Patrick Gamble prohibits any person, vehicle, taxi, or driver from unreasonably obstructing, interfering, or blocking any vehicle on any public road.
The interdict further prohibits any person from interfering with the operations of any transportation depot.
The Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis welcomed the interdict.
“The city will uphold the rule of law without fear or favour, as was demonstrated earlier today (Monday) with the clearing and impounding of vehicles blocking major routes.
“This interdict further empowers our work with SAPS to keep our roads open, protect buses and commuters, and arrest the perpetrators of disorder.
“We reiterate that until the violence stops, there can be no further discussions. We call on Santaco to stop the violence immediately,” said Hill-Lewis.
“The ongoing violence is making it exceedingly difficult for negotiations to proceed. We are a government that stands for the rule of law. A withdrawal of services is an important Constitutional right, but violence, intimidation, and destruction of property are not. This is non-negotiable,” said Premier Alan Winde.
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