Cape Town - At least 10 private vehicles have been torched and 70 Golden Arrow Buses (Gabs) damaged in ongoing targeted attacks, allegedly by angry private taxi drivers who had their vehicles impounded this week.
An integrated taxi operation was conducted in Nyanga last Thursday during which Avanza taxis were impounded by law enforcement officers for operating allegedly without permits.
Since then several vehicles were torched in Nyanga and yesterday seven more were gutted including two belonging to the City and five private vehicles.
A Gabs bus yesterday had its tyres slashed, one bus was set alight and three company vehicles were also set alight.
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said the protest action is a response to an integrated taxi operation.
“This office can confirm that private and government vehicles were thrown with stones and a delivery truck was set alight in Govan Mbeki drive, Browns Farm.
“The protest action is a response to an integrated taxi operation that was conducted in the Nyanga precinct, where vehicles were impounded for operating without permits.
“The protest is ongoing and an Integrated Law enforcement presence has been secured,” Swartbooi said.
Nyanga community activist Thulani Phike said Gabs buses and other transport are not accessing areas, and are instead dropping and picking up commuters along the N2.
“These incidents occurred after traffic officers last week entered the Nyanga area to enforce traffic laws, as a result many small local taxis (Avanzas) were impounded because they do not have permits.
“The protest has a huge negative impact on commuters and this seems not to be stopping any time soon, not unless it is resolved by higher structures of the taxi industry and government,” said Phike.
Safety and Security Mayco member JP Smith said vehicle checkpoints were being conducted.
“During the peak hour traffic one or more Avanza vehicles moved about petrol-bombing private vehicles and it appears that as many as seven vehicles were torched (yesterday) morning.
“The criminal action of torching one of the private vehicles in turn caused an informal residence adjacent to Klipfontein Road to catch light. The fire department responded and the vehicles were doused,” said Smith.
Transport and Public Works MEC Daylin Mitchell said the department will work with representatives of the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies to bring stability in Nyanga.
“I have called an urgent meeting with leaders of the (taxi industry) tomorrow and will decide my interventions thereafter,” Mitchell said on Wednesday.