Santaco's suspension of all taxi operations with immediate effect in the Western Cape regions, forced commuters to risk their lives by walking from the Cape Town's CBD to their homes.
Santaco said that taxi operators should go home until August, 9 and operations will resume on August 10.
This comes after the City of Cape Town’s implemented its newly amended traffic by-laws.
The new by-laws mean traffic officials can now impound vehicles for transgressions such as not displaying a number plate correctly or not having a valid vehicle licence or driving licence.
The by-laws have since fueled violence, with taxi operators expressing dissatisfaction with taxis being impounded.
However, on Thursday, videos of commuters making their way home after taxis were a no-show were shared on social media, while others used e-hailing services.
In areas such as Langa, it was reported that taxi drivers allegedly set vehicles alight that offered or took commuters home.
Right now kwa Langa...if you gave someone a lift you are in trouble 😭![CDATA[]]>😭![CDATA[]]>😭 #CapeTown #santaco #TaxiStrike pic.twitter.com/1YsrCoVBCz
— Tania (@Tania84928222) August 3, 2023
Videos of frustrated and stranded commuters at the Golden Arrow Bus terminus in Cape Town also emerged, as the company said it will be business as usual despite the intimidation from taxi operators.
Some commuters were forced to sleep at the buses’ terminus.
Golden Arrow Bus Service (GABS) said the situation remained volatile and were operating their Nyanga services from Borcherds Quarry. Khayelitsha services are operating from Mew Way Bridge, Corners of Spine Road, and N2.
Hundreds of commuters still stranded and waiting for buses at Cape Town bus terminus. #News #TV# #journalism #cttaxistrike #taxistrike #TaxiViolence pic.twitter.com/GqdUFlTqU4
— Wesley Fester (@wesleyfestersa) August 3, 2023
“I cant believe I walked from Goodwood to Philipi via N2 yhoo guys it took me 4hours to get home [sic],” -@BMthanyana said on Twitter.
I cant believe I walked from Goodwood to Philipi via N2 yhoo guys it took me 4hours to get home #TaxiStrike
— Babo_Yaya (@BMthanyana) August 3, 2023
At the Cape Town taxi rank NOW, many took Ubers in the early hours of the morning and shared the fares as the situation calmed, unfortunately for the ones whose pockets don’t run that deep, only option was turning benches into beds#TaxiStrike #CapeTown pic.twitter.com/NxWC6pBnDk
— JB Mohlala (@jim_mohlala) August 4, 2023
Cape Town situation 😭![CDATA[]]>😭![CDATA[]]>😭 #TaxiStrike pic.twitter.com/nRQSsjF2ws
— m a s h è s h a 💨 (@_mashesha) August 3, 2023
CAPE TOWN #TaxiStrike: As the sun sets many stranded at the Cape Town bus terminus are worried that they may be in danger when they eventually get home this evening. pic.twitter.com/92z8IBcdwO
— 🔞SA911 (@JustdoitZee) August 3, 2023
Commuters struggling to get into the bus, as masses stranded at the Golden Arrow bus terminus. #cityofcapetown #TaxiStrike #lawenforcement #capetown #kasi #stayway #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/TvNrfxjiN5
— Ayanda Ndamane (@aya_ndamane) August 3, 2023
In Makhaza 36 sec. Woken up by passengers screams #taxistrike pic.twitter.com/pQt7kyuegk
— Anathi (@lidudumalidlule) August 4, 2023
This is part of a bigger conversation we DON'T want to have!😔![CDATA[]]>💔![CDATA[]]>😭 #SocialJustice #ReparationsNow #TaxiStrike #BBNaijaAllStars #BBNaija #earthquake https://t.co/DOWzDLyMQG
— 佛罗伦萨·马塞特拉 (@florencemasetla) August 4, 2023
IOL