Western Cape mini-bus taxi industry announces ‘stay away’

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) Western Cape (WC) has announced a stay away following a clamp down on mini-bus taxi’s.

WC chairperson, Mandla Hermanus said, “This decision has not been taken lightly, but as an industry we are left with no other option but to embark on this stay away due to the frivolous impoundment operations run by Government, which have had a negative impact on our operators and industry.”

ALSO READ: Intercape rejects Santaco’s meeting request over EC routes

Taxi industry to cease operations until 9 August

Hermanus said the stay away would be observed from 3 August 2023 until 9 August 2023.

“During this stay away there will be no march or any form of protests that will take place. All operations will stop and we have urged our operators to refrain from any form of violence and threatening behaviour,” Hermanus said.

ALSO READ: JHB explosion: Santaco is worried about operating licenses due to road closures

Santaco WC claims since the beginning of the year, almost 6000 taxis have been impounded, amounting to 1000 taxis a month being inoperable.

City of Cape Town condemns taxi violence

The City of Cape Town’s Mayco member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas said, “It is regretful that SANTACO has resolved to pull their vehicles from minibus-taxi ranks as of this afternoon.

“We are aware of violent protests that are happening near the Khayelitsha taxi rank, a bus has been set alight in Nyanga, MyCiTi bus passengers are being forced off buses, two Law Enforcement vehicles have been stoned in Khayelitsha and the N2 outbound is currently blocked by slow moving minibus-taxis.

“This is no longer a peaceful protest and we strongly condemn these actions. There is absolutely no need to endanger human lives, nor for interference with other vehicles on the road,” he said.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Female Santaco member shot dead

Santaco WC deputy chairperson, Nceba Enge said the group held a mass meeting earlier today, where the respective associations in the region were made aware of a driver being assaulted and another driver being shot at but this was not the only reason for the stay away.

“All the eight regions under Santaco in the Western Cape are participating. This is due to the increase on impoundment and the way in which by-laws are being implemented… This prompted us to engage the industry and the decision was taken today,” Enge said.