GroundUp reports that hundreds of taxi drivers and owners brought Cape Town’s city centre to a standstill on Thursday as they marched and drove in convoy along the N2 to the Western Cape Legislature.

Meanwhile, many commuters were left stranded. Members of the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) and the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) marched to the office of Premier Alan Winde. The associations accused the Western Cape government of refusing to process and issue permits timeously, but being quick to impound vehicles operating without permits. According to CATA’s general secretary Mandla Hermanus, around 2,000 taxi operators participated in the march, which he adamantly claimed had been peaceful and without incident. But earlier on Thursday morning, at least three Golden Arrow buses were set alight, others were stoned and four people were injured. Several other vehicles were also damaged during the protest. Golden Arrow’s Browne Dyke-Beyek said the incidents appear to be linked to the taxi protest. She said buses were attacked in Nyanga, Philippi East and Kraaifontein. Police said incidents of violence were being investigated, but arrests had yet to be made. The taxi associations threatened to take the Western Cape government to court if their demands, which were handed over to Premier Alan Winde’s office, were not addressed within seven days.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik at GroundUp
• Read too, Two protesters thrown from taxi during Cape taxi strike, at IOL. En ook, Voertuie brand in Kaapstad oor taxi’s, by Maroela Media

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page