Pretoria - The City of Tshwane said it was aware of further disruptions likely to hit the capital city from
Monday, following last week's rampant wildcat protests in which foreign-owned businesses were looted and burnt in and around the Pretoria central business district.
Acting Tshwane member of the mayoral committee for roads and transport Karen Meyer said taxi drivers were behind the planned protests.
"The
decision to embark on protest action was allegedly taken at the funeral
service for slain taxi driver Jabu Baloyi yesterday in
Soshanguve. This is in addition to the threatened
strike and protest action by truck drivers that may be experienced
across the country," she said.
"Should
the intended protest action proceed, it is likely that the entire city
will be affected. However, specific risk areas include Menlyn and the
Pretoria Central Business District, with Sunnyside in particular
expected to be at the centre of disruptions. According to our
information, the threatened protest action does not have the support or
backing of taxi owners or associations."
Baloyi
was killed during an apparent confrontation between taxi drivers and
alleged drug lords in Pretoria last week. His death sparked the violence
and looting of shops.
On
Monday, the Tshwane municipality called on taxi owners and associations to engage their
drivers in ensuring "orderly business operations" in the city.
"The
local, provincial and national spheres of government are aware of the
potential disruptions and are continuously engaging with the various
stakeholders in the transport sectors. Law enforcement agencies are also
continuously monitoring the situation and are prepared," said Meyer.
"The
city condemns any criminal behaviour and will ensure that its law
enforcement agencies act decisively to curb any lawlessness. Commuters
are advised to monitor local media outlets for developments throughout
the day and take the necessary precautions or use alternative routes to
avoid road closures, traffic congestion and public transport service
disruptions."
On
Sunday, the South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu)
distanced itself from a planned strike in the trucking industry expected to cripple several cities.
"News
of a nationwide strike in the industry has been widely circulated.
However, Satawu does not know the origins of the call for the strike,
because none of the legitimate unions within the National Bargaining
Council for Road Freight and Logistics Industry have called
for it," spokesperson Zanele Sabela said.
"Consequently,
we are concerned for the safety of truck drivers and urge trucking
companies to be cautious, because in the past strikes called by faceless
people have often resulted in gruesome attacks on truck drivers with
trucks they drive set alight."
Satawu
said it supported all efforts by police to stamp out attacks on the trucking industry, which were tantamount to economic sabotage.
The
International Cross-border Traders' Association (ICTA) has urged the
South African government to protect foreign bus and truck drivers against violence from their local counterparts who accuse the
immigrants of taking their jobs.