CAPE TOWN - The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has distanced itself from the protest by Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) and Congress of Democratic Taxi Associations (Codeta) members which turned violent on Thursday with a number of vehicles destroyed and passengers injured.
Three Golden Arrow buses were set alight on Thursday morning in Nyanga, Phillipi East and Kraaifontein and passengers injured. Three trucks and a Quantum were also set alight and another bus stoned in Bloekombos in Kraaifontein.
Cata and Codeta members blocked the N2 and traffic was brought to a standstill in the city centre as they marched to Premier Alan Winde’s office to hand over a memorandum of grievances. including the impoundment of their vehicles.
Santaco spokesperson Nazeem Abdurahman said the association distanced itself from the protest which turned violent.
“As an organisation, we recognise the need for Cata and Codeta to raise their grievances and their right to protest, but to do so in a peaceful and respectful manner, which does not infringe on the rights of others. We understand the issues being raised by our members, but believe that this needs to find a non-violent means.”
Abdurahman said the association believed in consultation as a process to resolve differences.
“We acknowledge that our partnership with the Western Cape government is a strong one that has proved strong in the past in the resolution of contentious issues affecting the minibus taxi industry. Our continued support and partnership with the Western Cape government are reflected in our participation in the Blue Dot programme.
“Santaco Western Cape will be actively engaging all parties to find an outcome that is amicable and does not affect the commuters of the Western Cape negatively,” Abdurahman said.
Cata secretary Mandla Hermanus has appealed to Winde to treat them fairly.
“We believe that if a taxi was impounded and the impoundment fee was paid, all that is left for the City is to release a taxi but that is (not) what is happening. When you go to Green Point, even having paid the fine, they say that you must go to the warrant officer to sort out all your warrants before a taxi is released,” said Hermanus.
“That must stop, because now we are being targeted and we feel because the City is struggling in collecting all these warrants now they are finding ways… that they impound as many vehicles as they can, so they can be able to collect the outstanding warrants.
“The law is supposed to serve both the government and the people's interest,” he said.
Codeta spokesperson Andile Soyame said it was unfair for them to be expected to pay warrants before they get a vehicle back. “We are being targeted and they must know that this is our bread and butter.
“We take our children to schools and feed families, but now when you take away the thing that brings money to the house, how are they supposed to pay?” asked Soyame, adding that this was not the situation in other provinces.
Winde said the memorandum was received by an official and would now be reviewed.
“I am incredibly angered by what happened today (yedsterday). The violence and disruption are completely unacceptable and inexcusable, and I am determined that there will be consequences for it. We will not allow our people, especially those from our poorest communities, to be held ransom like this,” said Winde.
Golden Arrow Bus Service (Gabs) spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer said they remained operational with diversions in place. They asked passengers to bear with them should there be any delays as this was a volatile situation.
Provincial Transport and Public Works MEC Daylin Mitchell said the commitments that the protest would be peaceful and that it would not disrupt the operations of other public transport providers hadn’t been honoured by “elements” within the industry.
“I know that these senseless acts are being perpetrated by a particular grouping inside the industry, supported by opportunistic criminals. I will use all regulatory and legislative mechanisms to deal with this issue which include suspending or even withdrawing operating licences and holding associations accountable for the actions,” said Mitchell.
Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith the City would be recording the proceedings and any damage to infrastructure or private property would result in civil legal action against the march organisers.
Cape Times