The African National Congress (ANC) in the Western Cape has cancelled its participation in the march intended to protest the City of Cape Town’s impoundment of taxis.
Also read: No shutdown in Cape Town on Monday says JP Smith
On Monday, a multi-party march in the Mother City will be led by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and demand the release of taxis that have been impounded.
Several unroadworthy minibuses and others that were operating without proper documentation were seized by the metro in August.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Enjoy the most worthwhile one-night stay in Cape Town with the best seaside views for R1 699 (valued at R 2 620). Get it here.
According to a spokesman for the ANC in the province, Muhammad Khalid Sayed, the EFF’s classification of the march as a shutdown has angered the party.
We are ready to take it to the streets of the @CityofCT today to say NO to unjust and frivolous taxi impoundments.
Taxi Struggles Are People’s Struggles and People’s Struggles Are Land Struggles.
These struggles are intertwined. #JPSmithMustFall #Isukile pic.twitter.com/dDzQMOfUNV
— EFF_Western Cape (@EFFWesternCape_) October 2, 2023
‘It was always our position that this was a multi-party march against the unlawful impoundment of taxis. It was never intended to be a shutdown led by one political party. The mixed messages emanating as late as this [Sunday] morning in the media have convinced us that it would be unwise to participate.’
He claimed that the ANC only backs peaceful resolutions to conflicts between the taxi industry and the City of Cape Town.
‘We are opposed to any form of shutdown. We support a peaceful resolution of the issues facing the minibus taxi industry. The ANC will continue to engage the taxi industry, civil society, and with all spheres of government to find a lasting solution.’
Explore Cape Town and its surroundings with these incredible deals on cars for under 100k. Find car listings here.
The party urged all ANC members in the Western Cape to abstain from the demonstration.
Last week, Santaco’s deputy chairperson, Nceba Enge, confirmed that while the taxi association acknowledges the protest, it won’t be partaking in the shutdown.
On Wednesday, Reagen Allen, the MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, convened a meeting with district executive mayors and senior officials from provincial departments, district municipalities and the SAPS to evaluate the state of readiness within the province regarding the planned EFF ‘shutdown’ protest.
The protest is scheduled to get underway at the Ndabeni Municipal Complex at 9am this morning.
Also read:
Taxi association rejects EFF’s call for planned shutdown on Monday
Picture: @EFFWesternCape_ / Twitter
