Violent taxi strike in Cape Town called off

A CRIPPLING taxi strike in Cape Town has been called off.

Chaos erupted on busy roads in the Mother City yesterday, with buses torched‚ commuters injured‚ and law enforcement officials attacked and their vehicles damaged.

City of Cape Town mayoral committee chairman JP Smith said the strike had been called off by taxi associations following a meeting with the provincial government.

Mayoral committee member for transport Brett Herron condemned the violent attacks on MyCiTi buses and the injuries sustained by two passengers, including a pregnant woman, in Khayelitsha.

“One of the commuters was hit in the face by a flying rock and the pregnant commuter fell during the violent attack near the Kuyasa stop,” he said.

“Both women were severely traumatised and admitted to hospital for treatment.”

Motorcyclist Jaco Prins was attacked when he tried to pass a burning barricade on the N7 near Dunoon.

“It’s absolute lawlessness,” he said. “These are thugs, not taxi people.”

Western Cape Transport MEC Donald Grant had a meeting with taxi organisation Santaco and an industry “task team” later yesterday.

The meeting followed unsuccessful talks between the groups last week over leadership ahead of upcoming elections for the taxi industry’s governing body.

Taxi operators were also frustrated over the city’s hardline approach to impounding their vehicles.

Both women were severely traumatised and admitted to hospital for treatment