Taxi strike: suspects released on warning
Suspects from the taxi industry who were arrested in the George CBD last week in connection with the standoff between the traffic department, police officers and the local taxi industry, were released on warning on Monday 20 August in the George Magistrate's Court.
Last week, Southern Cape police spokesperson Captain Malcolm Pojie told George Herald that 47 people were arrested on Friday 16 August in connection with the public violence and three of these arrests were for drunken driving. However, on Monday only 21 people appeared in court. Their case was postponed to Friday 21 September for further investigation.
The standoff started on Monday 13 August when the taxis went on strike in protest against the impounding of taxis and non-issuing of taxi permits. They also complained of the provincial traffic ghost squad, who they said harass motorists on the roads. Two days of intense negotiations between taxi bosses and authorities followed and on Wednesday it was decided that a committee would be formed within seven days to negotiate solutions. When the ghost squad again impounded six taxis the following morning, Thursday 16 August, taxi bosses were angered. In response, taxis gathered at the GO GEORGE bus depot in York Street where the impounded taxis were parked.
Following hours of talks between taxi bosses and local authorities, four taxis were released through normal procedures and the riot police forced the taxis to leave the depot. They headed up York Street under police escort, but many taxis were seen travelling at great speed.
The taxis parked at the CBD taxi rank, where violence erupted and police used stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse protesters. It was at this point that the 47 people were arrested. Taxi bosses alleged that their taxis were damaged by the police during this altercation and that one man was injured when he was hit in the head by a rubber bullet.
When the ghost squad again impounded six taxis the following morning, Thursday 16 August, taxi bosses were angered.
Special council meeting
To find solutions to this matter, taxi bosses met with the newly formed Section 79 GIPTN committee and other stakeholders. Chairperson of the committee, Bazil Petrus, said the Section 79 committee reported to Council at a Special Council Meeting which sat on Friday 17 August to find amicable solutions to the matter. Speaking about the results of this meeting, Petrus said they are yet to arrange a meeting with the taxi industry to give them feedback.
"We are in a process of planning a meeting where we will further engage with the taxi industry about our meeting in Council. Council has given us the go-ahead to further engage with the taxi industry to try and find lasting solutions to this matter. We want to meet with the taxi industry not on this matter only, but also to make them a partner in solving many transport-related issues in George," said Petrus. SABC reporter