The Good Party in the City of Cape Town wants a special council sitting to discuss the alleged unlawfulness of impounding taxis.
This follows the violent strike over the past week, where sadly, five people died.
The party says it can’t be business as usual after lives were lost, properties damaged, and food security threatened.
The political party has requested Council Speaker, Facility Purchase, to convene this urgent council meeting.
Good Party’s Jonathan Cupido says there are still contradictions between Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Santaco on the laws used to impound taxis.
Cupido says they need definitive answers.
“The contradictions need an explanation. What is not clear from the mayor’s statement is if the previous impoundments were in fact unlawful. We are left wondering if Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith misinterpreted the law and overstepped his jurisdiction. We join the city in celebrating the end of the violent stay away. But unfortunately, we cannot just forgive and forget. Lives were lost and someone needs to be held accountable”.
Well, the strike has certainly left an indelible mark on Mother City’s image.
In fact, Cape Town Tourism says it’s had a significant impact on South Africa’s international reputation.
The unrest, which resulted in violent protests and the death of five people, was linked to a dispute between the City of Cape Town and Santaco, over the impoundment of taxis.
Cape Town Tourism CEO, Enver Duminy, expressed concern over the negative effects on businesses.
Duminy says international visitors, especially from the US, the Netherlands and the UK, reportedly cancelled their vacations due to the unrest.