Bus petrol bombed as Hout Bay Taxi Association demands compensation

Chaos erupted in Hout Bay, Cape Town on Monday morning, 5 September, as protestors took to the streets. The police said the protest action was transport-related. Three MyCiti buses were damaged and private vehicles were stoned.

HOUT BAY TAXI ASSOCIATION WANTS COMPENSATION

The City of Cape Town said one of the damaged buses was petrol bombed. No drivers or passengers were injured during the incident.

“Fire and stones will not resolve anything, we all need to abide by the law and engage in a peaceful and respectful manner,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

Quintas condemned the protest and the City announced its MyCiti and Dial-a-ride services in Hout Bay have been suspended in the interest of public safety.

“This unfortunate suspension of MyCiTi and DAR services has a direct impact on the livelihood of these passengers as they depend on the availability of these transport services, but we cannot risk their safety while this unrest continues,” he said.

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg told The South African that approximately 50 protestors were involved. Teargas had to be used to disperse the crowd, which had burnt tyres and blocked the roads at certain intersections.

The Hout Bay Taxi Association (HBTA) told SABC News Western Cape the protest was to do with compensation allegedly promised to them by the City of Cape Town.

“When they brought the MyCiti bus into our area, they promised that they would compensate us, they never did. They still owe us money since 2009. They have been sending us from pillar to post, they haven’t given us an answer,” said the Association.

The City said it noted the complaint about compensation and said it has been negotiating with HBTA since 2014.

“This matter is currently on the Western Cape High Court roll, it has been initiated by HBTA, and the City is awaiting the court’s ruling on this matter,” read a statement.

The attorney representing HBTA, Anneke Whelan, told GroundUp that the City of Cape Town frustrated the drivers by changing the payment dates. Apparently, Hout Bay’s taxi drivers are the only ones who have not been paid yet.

“The City bizarrely contends that the implementation of the MyCiti bus service has caused the Hout Bay Taxi Association’s members’ business to improve,” said Whelan.

The City of Cape Town committed to continuing to engage with HBTA and said a meeting with community leaders would be held.

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