The Western Cape-wide taxi strike entered into its 5th day on Monday, with traffic chaos being caused by a taxi blockade on the N2 highway in Cape Town.
Commuters were forced yet again to make alternative transport arrangements due to the chaos.
The latest round of engagements between the Western Cape Mobility Department, the City of Cape Town and taxi mother body Santaco, was suspended on Sunday evening.
These parties started the talks on Friday, but they failed to come up with any tangible solutions.
Mobility MEC Ricardo Mackenzie says he is disappointed that commuters will suffer again, as taxis are not available…
“I’m sad that commuters have to go through disruptions again. Working with my colleagues in the City of Cape Town, who have the MyCiti services and Golden Arrow Buses and will continue to get buses out to assist commuters to get to and from work safely. Our law enforcement agencies will assist with providing safety to these buses to assist commuters to get to work safely.
The Western Cape High Court has granted an interim order against Santaco, to stop taxi operators from committing acts of violence targeting Golden Arrow busses and its property.
The bus company approached the court, on Sunday, following acts of intimidation and violence linked to the taxi stay away.
Justice Patrick Gamble also ordered that taxi operators must refrain from intimidating and assaulting Golden Arrow’s workers and passengers using buses.
GABS says since the strike started on Thursday, eight of its buses have been set alight.
Out of that number, two were torched on Monday morning.
Golden Arrow’s Bronwen Dyke-Beyer said, “having read the papers filed by Golden Arrow and following agreement between Golden Arrow (the applicant) and the respondents (including SANTACO and its eight affiliated members participating in the strike), it has been ordered by the Honourable Justice Gamble that the respondents are interdicted from intimidating, harassing, threatening or interfering with Golden Arrow, its employees and passengers. Respondents must take all reasonable steps to ensure that Golden Arrow is able to operate without interference”.
