Taxis withdrawing their services until August 10 after clash with Cape law-enforcement

Taxi operators gathered in Desmond Tutu Community Hall. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency

Taxi operators gathered in Desmond Tutu Community Hall. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency

Published Aug 3, 2023

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Cape Town - South African National Taxi Council has decided to embark on a stay-away for six days starting this afternoon.

This was decided by all eight regions who gathered at the Desmond Tutu Community Hall in Makhaza, Khayelitsha.

Chairperson Mandla Hermanus said after the clash with the City’s law-enforcement the taxi industry decided to hold a meeting yesterday morning.

Before the gathering started, Police Minister Bheki Cele visited the hall and had a closed meeting with the chairpersons.

Hermanus said the strike would start this afternoon.

“There will (be) the final for the Netball World Cup, and we know there will be a big event in Khayelitsha, where President Cyril Ramaphosa will visit. What would it take for him to speak to the City officials if the strike doesn’t affect him? We must have the stay-away until August 10.

“We have to agree that there will be other strikes, but members must expect that we might meet the leaders and then decide on the day of the strike.”

South African National Taxi Council has decided to embark on the a stay-away starting this afternoon. This was decided by all eight regions who gathered at the Desmond Tutu Community Hall in Makhaza, Khayelitsha. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency
Chairperson Mandla Hermanus said after the clash between the City’s Law Enforcement the taxi industry decided to hold a meeting on Thursday morning. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency
South African National Taxi Council has decided to embark on the a stay-away starting this afternoon. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency
South African National Taxi Council has decided to embark on the a stay-away starting this afternoon. This was decided by all eight regions who gathered at the Desmond Tutu Community Hall in Makhaza, Khayelitsha. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency
South African National Taxi Council has decided to embark on the a stay-away starting this afternoon. This was decided by all eight regions who gathered at the Desmond Tutu Community Hall in Makhaza, Khayelitsha. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency

Some of the reasons of the actions are impoundments which they said were unlawful.

“Cars are impounded for frivolous things such as a driver smoking while driving alone in the van.

“Another reason is having an elbow out or cracked number plates,” he added.

“We will keep protesting until the City stops impounding for no reasons.”

Hermanus said the taxis in town and all the taxi ranks must be withdrawn.

Immediately after the resolution was taken, a MyCiTi bus was stoned in Khayelitsha.

Immediately after the resolution was taken, a MyCiTi bus was stoned in Khayelitsha. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency
Immediately after the resolution was taken, a MyCiTi bus was stoned in Khayelitsha. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency

mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za