TimesLIVE reports that commuters scrambled to find alternative transport as a taxi strike got under way in Cape Town on Thursday. Two buses were set alight and a minibus go-slow caused traffic snarl-ups on freeways exiting the CBD.
Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) confirmed two of its buses were set alight at Nyanga. Taxi associations resolved at a mass meeting earlier on Thursday to withdraw their vehicles from service in protest at law enforcement operations that have seen up to 1,000 taxis impounded a month for various transgressions. The SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) said it was resolved at the meeting that there would be a provincial taxi stayaway with immediate effect until 9 August. Normal taxi operations will resume on 10 August and an announcement will be made on the way forward. The City denied accusations it was unfairly targeting taxi operators. Urban mobility MMC Rob Quintas stated: “This is no longer a peaceful protest and we condemn these actions. There is no need to endanger human lives nor for interference with other vehicles on the road.” Provincial Education MEC David Maynier said: “We are deeply concerned about the affect the strike will have on schools, especially given the sudden announcement which may leave teachers and learners in the lurch this afternoon [Thursday].”
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kim Swartz at TimesLIVE
- Read too, Thousands of commuters stranded, vehicles petrol bombed and traffic gridlocked as taxi strike causes chaos on Cape Town roads, at GroundUp
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