Video by Ayanda Ndamane
CAPE TOWN- Multiple vehicles including Golden Arrow buses have been set alight in Nyanga and Kraaifontein ahead of the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) and Congress of Democratic Taxi Association’s (Codeta) march to Western Cape Premier Alan Winde's offices on Thursday.
Three trucks and a Quantum vehicle were set alight and one bus stoned in Bloekombos in Kraaifontein, while two Golden Arrow buses were burnt in Nyanga.
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said police and other law enforcement agencies had been deployed in the affected areas and on the route to Winde’s offices, to monitor the protesters.
“This office confirms that a bus was damaged at the Nyanga bus terminus as a result of stone-throwing this morning. The windows of the bus were broken (but) the driver was not injured. Another bus was set alight. According to reports, taxis affiliated to two associations are driving in convoy on the N2 highway to Cape Town,” Swartbooi said.
The two associations are expected to hand over a memorandum of grievances, including a demand for a halt to the impounding of their taxis.
The city's mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, said multiple safety risks had arisen from the protest and the council’s enforcement agencies, together with the police, had activated their response plan to protect commuters using public transport.
“The City of Cape Town is aware of the planned protest which has been approved for today (Thursday, 24 March 2022). Taxi associations for Cata and Codeta intend to march from Hanover Street to the Provincial Legislature in Wale Street,” Smith said.
“There have been reports of buses set alight in Nyanga as well as of taxis blocking the N2 roadway in the vicinity of Khayelitsha and Kraaifontein. Emergency services and policing agencies are on the scene. Members of the public are encouraged to report any emergencies to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700.”
Golden Arrow Bus Service has notified passengers that its buses are operating from Nyanga police station.
“Unfortunately it has been a rough morning across Cape Town. There have been incidents targeting our buses and as such please be aware that we may have to make diversions and other difficult safety-related decisions,” the company said in a statement.
Meanwhile, for the second week in a row, Eskom has suspended all services in Bloekombos and Wallacedene in Kraaifontein due to the taxi strike.
“Eskom security services are working closely with the local authorities by monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of staff before work can resume once the areas are safe to enter. Unfortunately, this means that there will be a significant delay in electricity restoration efforts and customers may experience prolonged durations without electricity,” the power utility said in a statement.
Cape Times