GROUNDUP
In photos — Sporadic violence, death in Cape Town as taxi strike spirals out of control
Two dead, motorists attacked, buses torched, and taxis impounded. If there is no breakthrough in talks, the protest action by taxis will end only on Thursday.
Police on Monday 7 August confirmed that two people have been killed in separate incidents near Cape Town International Airport. This follows altercations between motorists and protesters on the fifth day of the taxi strike across Cape Town.
Read more in Daily Maverick: Day 5 – Two people killed in two incidents near airport as Western Cape taxi strike continues
A dead person lies on Airport Approach road. According to police, a driver retaliated after being pelted with stones. The driver fired several shots, killing one person and injuring three. There is a widely circulated video on social media apparently showing the incident but we cannot verify its contents. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)
A dead person lies at the N2 and Borcherds Quarry intersection. Details of the incident are unknown. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)
Children play netball next to a burnt out car near the entrance to Crossroads. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)
Burnt buses are removed from the N2 and Borcherds Quarry intersection. Golden Arrow spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer is on record stating 10 buses have been torched since the taxi strike began on Thursday afternoon. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)
(Police patrol in Crossroads. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)
Police patrol the streets in Crossroads. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)
A burnt out vehicle at Borcherds Quarry Road at the entrance to Crossroads. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)
Taxis are impounded and removed at the Airport Approach road. The taxi drivers had removed their number plates.(Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)
DM
First published by GroundUp.
This is a truly monumental struggle. The Cape government cannot stand down. If they do, it would be a complete capitulation to gangsterism. I sincerely hope this was thought through & loins were girded. It is a must-persevere situation.
Agreed. It is a test. An important test.
What about the creation of a”Taxi Appeals Tribunal” to provide speedy resolution of impounding and fine grievances ?
A three-person tribunal sitting full time, with one member from Law Enforcement, one from the Taxi Association and one Independent; funded equally by the City and the Taxi Association.
Its objective: dealing with specifics rather than what appears to be a futile attempt to solve the overarching and seemingly intractable differences between the parties.
Can be up and running in a fortnight, offering an outlet for frustrations on both sides ( and can be refined as it operates.)
If there was any doubt as to the lawlessness of the so-called taxi ‘industry’ the past few days in Cape Town has removed any uncertainty. The MBT gangs and cartels are systemically anarchic, self-centred, of demonstrable criminal intent and anything but industrious. For decades Santaco, its affiliated and perpetually squabbling taxi associations, non-tax compliant taxi owners and their reckless driver hencemen have waged a high intensity and selfish war against the government, fellow citizens, public transport infrastructure and law and order throughout SA. For the first time in 30 years one city and its law enforcement agencies have drawn a line in the sand in the interests of all its citizens, especially commuters. This is Cape Town! If there was ever a time to turn back the tide of wanton criminality that has been plaguing our communities and roads in SA for decades it is NOW. Much strength to the long arm of the law in SA !!
Unfortunately all this chaos will be laid at the feet of the DA. Why? Because in areas governed by the ‘other’ party, driving and transporting people in dangerous, unroadworthy vehicles is absolutely accepted. When such an unroadworthy vehicle results in catastrophic events, the owner is blamed, not the governing organization that allowed the vehicle to operate in return for the owners vote.
Do not give in to these criminal thugs, please!