The Western Cape taxi strike continues, and will likely continue for the rest of the day after yet another round of talks failed on Tuesday morning.
The engagement included officials from the national transport department, City of Cape Town and taxi mother body Santaco.
During Monday’s chaos, 49 taxis were impounded in Cape Town, for incidents relating to public violence including that of blockading public roads.
Transport Minister Sindi Chikunga will update the public this morning.
Mobility MEC Ricardo Mackenzie says they are committed to bringing the strike to an end.
“We want people to get to work and to school. We are saddened that the stay-away continues. But we are working hard Santaco, with respective parties including the national department of Transport, to bring the stay-away to an end”.
Nearly a half million learners missed school in the Western Cape yesterday, due to the taxi strike.
And that number could be higher on Tuesday as decisions on whether to remain open or not will be made based on the situation at each school.
Among the factors in that, decision could be staff availability.
During the same more than 17 0000 teachers were unable to get to their jobs.
In total, at least 27 schools were forced to close due to safety concerns.
Last week Friday, 287 000 learners and 9 500 staff members were absent.
The Western Cape Education Department has refuted rumours that any of its schools were directly targeted.
MEC David Maynier admits, though, that the taxi stay-away has had a negative impact on the education sector.
“We are committed to keeping schools open as far as possible and where it is safe to do so, not just as places of learning, but as places of safety and nutritional support for children. Decisions to close selected schools will be taken on a case-by-case basis, and the school in question will inform parents. Unfortunately, rumours that schools were being targeted and burned spread wildly this morning, resulting in panic and confusion”.
