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Update:

The Western Cape Government is contemplating the deployment of the defence force to restore order in Cape Town as the ongoing taxi strike continues to disrupt daily life and escalate into acts of violence.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde disclosed that discussions with Lieutenant-General Patekile, Western Cape police commissioner, have indicated the deployment of extra public order police within the province. The consideration of reinforcements aims to ensure the safety of citizens while they resume their daily activities.

According to Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, a recent statement emphasises the City’s commitment to the rule of law and the protection of its residents. The message underscores that negotiations with local Santaco leadership will only proceed if violence subsides.

The City is prioritising the safety of residents and commuters by actively opening roads, implementing escorted bus services and apprehending individuals responsible for violent acts. While most road closures and obstructions have been quickly resolved, the situation remains fluid.

Despite a productive meeting involving the City, Province and Santaco on Friday, new demands introduced by Santaco on Saturday led to an escalation of violence. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis expressed his readiness to continue addressing the situation as necessary.

The City appeals to residents to remain vigilant, avoid sharing unverified information and report any incidents of harassment or intimidation during the strike. The primary focus remains on restoring normalcy and ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens.

Update: 

The Department of Health and Wellness in the Western Cape has announced its decision to temporarily close a number of its healthcare facilities in response to the ongoing taxi violence that has been affecting both urban and rural areas.

This situation has also led to a reduction in services offered at various health centres throughout the region.

According to IOL, Dr Saadiq Kariem, the chief of operations for the department, expressed concern that, due to road closures and instances of violence, a significant portion of the staff members have been unable to commute to work. Dr Kariem emphasised the department’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of its employees, many of whom find themselves caught in the crossfire of these violent incidents.

‘We remain committed to the safety of our staff, who are caught in the middle of these incidents of violence and disruption. Some facilities within the Metropole are closed today, and community-based care for our vulnerable clients in these areas has unfortunately also been suspended until it is safe for our staff to go into them,’ Dr Kariem said.

He further conveyed that the department is in constant communication with the Provincial Joint Operations Centre, monitoring the safety and well-being of both patients and staff members. Despite these efforts, it has become necessary to operate at a reduced capacity in both the Cape Metropole and specific rural regions.

‘Unfortunately, we are again forced to operate at a reduced capacity within the Cape Metropole as well as certain rural areas,’ he explained.

In light of the ongoing taxi unrest, the public is advised to be aware of the following service implications:

Central Hospitals (Tygerberg, Red Cross and Groote Schuur):

  • Elective surgeries are postponed until further notice.
  • Emergency surgeries will continue to be performed as needed.
  • Outpatients are encouraged to assess the situation and attend appointments only if conditions are deemed safe. Longer waiting times may be experienced.
  • Family members are urged to collect discharged patients, provided it is safe to do so.

Community Health Centres and Clinics:

  • Facilities located in Philippi, Nyanga, Crossroads, Nolungile and Gugulethu are temporarily closed.
  • Community-based care services in these affected areas are also suspended until safety is restored.

The Department of Health and Wellness said that it recognises the inconvenience caused by these measures but remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of both its dedicated staff and the communities they serve.

It said that the situation will continue to be closely monitored, and services will be restored as soon as conditions permit.

Update:

Various schools across the province have requested that parents collect their children from schools as a precautionary measure, amid the ongoing taxi strike.

Reports that some schools have been targeted are circulating on social media but remain unconfirmed at this point.

However, parents have received calls requesting that their children be collected in case attacks do occur.

Westgate Mall in Mitchells Plain has also reportedly been closed after allegedly being targeted by protestors this morning.

Update: 

According to a statement by mayoral committee member for safety and security, Alderman JP Smith, enforcement services have made 27 arrests in relation to the blockade of the N2, while the South African Police Service confirmed the arrest of eight taxi drivers in Mfuleni this morning.

Numerous incidents have occurred, including:

  • Four Golden Arrow buses were set ablaze.
  • Four privately owned vehicles were torched.
  • Two trucks were set ablaze at a City depot on Govan Mbeki Road.
  • A City vehicle was hijacked in Samora Machel.
  • At approximately 5:30am, around 30 taxis obstructed the N2 inbound at Borcherd’s Quarry. Following this, enforcement personnel initiated arrests. Notably, metro police officers encountered gunfire at the scene, though no injuries were sustained.
  • A shooting incident occurred at Philippi railway station.
  • Vehicles were pelted with stones at the junction of Govan Mbeki Road and Duinefontein Road.
Picture: City of Cape Town / Facebook
‘We have seen the repeated comments from Santaco, urging their members to refrain from unbecoming conduct, but it is clear that there has been a level of premeditation in the actions we’ve witnessed over the past few days, with our enforcement staff removing piles of rocks and tyres along the N2 yesterday afternoon,’ said Alderman Smith.

He added that deliberate efforts have been made to target City personnel and infrastructure, including the murder of a LEAP officer in Nyanga on Friday evening as well as the ongoing targeting of City vehicles.

‘The City continues to work closely with the South African Police Service to quell these attacks and ensure safe passage not only for commuters but for the public at large,’ said Alderman Smith.

Picture: City of Cape Town / Facebook

The City’s response is reportedly being coordinated through the Joint Operations Centre, situated in Goodwood. A comprehensive deployment of available resources is being carried out to both prevent these attacks and swiftly respond to any incidents that may arise.

In light of this, Alderman Smith urged any individual possessing information about the perpetrators behind these acts of violence to come forward and report it through the tip-off line. This line operates around the clock, and reports can be submitted anonymously by dialling 0800 110077.

Any incidents relating to the strike can be reported to the Public Emergency Communication Centre at 021 480 7700.

Update:

SAPS Western Cape has deployed a heavy contingent of police officials in response to minibus taxis that were blockading the Airport Approach from early this morning. 

An individual was shot dead and three others were injured after a motorist was pelted with stones.

‘The driver responded to the attack by firing several shots,’ said police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa. ‘A murder and attempted murder cases are being investigated.’

‘The identities of the deceased person is yet to be determined. The incident has further compounded efforts to clear the road with traffic currently flowing and deployments still in place in the area.’ 

SAPS, along with the City of Cape Town’s metro police, law enforcement and traffic services have been deployed to identified hotspots.

‘Additional forces including air support are enroute to a number of locations where traffic interruptions and other incidents have been reported.’

News24 reports that a second person was killed during the violent taxi strike. Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said that officers descended on Borcherds Quarry Road, close to the N2 highway, where they found the body of a 28-year-old man who had been shot multiple times.

‘The victim was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. The unknown suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested,’ said Swartbooi.

‘The motive for this attack is believed to be taxi-related.’

Unconfirmed reports indicate that the victim’s vehicle was torched after the shooting.

Commuters and road users are urged to be vigilant on the roads.

There have also been reports of stone-throwing and public violence in the vicinity of Govan Mbeki and New Eisleben roads, according to Cape Town Traffic Services spokesperson Kevin Jacobs.

Several road closures are in place, including on the N2 inbound at the R300; Jakes Gerwel Drive, between Turfhall and Oliver Tambo roads; and Potsdam Road, between Malibongwe and Sati roads.

He added that N2 outbound is free-flowing and open to traffic. One traffic lane has been reopened on Airport Approach Road from the N2 outbound.

Footage of a motorist coming under attack this morning, amid the ongoing taxi stay away, is currently circulating on social media.

The 30-second video, believed to have been taken at the Nyanga Bridge in the early hours of Monday morning, shows roughly a dozen protestors swarming a vehicle as it approaches a blockade.

This morning saw roughly 300 taxis blockading the N2 outbound and inbound at the Airport Approach, resulting in the closure of all lanes and causing havoc on the national road.

Also read: Taxi Strike: Protests and disruptions to continue today

At least nine Golden Arrow buses have been torched and a driver shot and wounded since the strike started last Thursday. Several vehicles belonging to the city have been destroyed.

Law enforcement blocked the entrance to the Golden Arrow terminal in the city centre this morning, preventing buses from leaving town.

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‘I am appalled at the scale of violence that has not only dealt a severe blow to our economy and critical services but has also delegitimised and damaged Santaco WC’s cause,’ said Western Cape Premier Alan Winde. ‘This violence and damage to property has continued this morning.’

Meanwhile, government schools in the Western Cape will be open today, according to the province’s education MEC, David Maynier.

‘We can assure parents that schools will be open tomorrow as normal, and our contracted learner transport will continue to operate as best possible,’ he said, requesting that parents make alternative transport arrangements and urging schools to report any harassment or intimidation of pupils en route to classes.’

‘We will not tolerate anyone preventing our children from accessing their constitutional right to education,’ Maynier added.

On Thursday, children were among those stranded after Santaco withdrew its services as a result of a dispute over vehicle impoundments with the City of Cape Town’s law enforcement arm.

Golden Arrow Bus Service obtained an interim interdict from the Western Cape High Court that prevents Santaco or its affiliates from harassing or intimidating it or its customers on Sunday.

Santaco has agreed to the order.

On Friday, the Western Cape education department said 287 420 pupils and 9 508 staff members were negatively impacted and either did not make it to school or were kept home out of fear for their safety.

It is understood independent schools are making individual calls on whether to open or not.

On Sunday, the Western Cape Scholar Shuttle Association (WCSSA) expressed concerns over the ongoing protest after Santaco turned down the offers made by government over the weekend.

‘A decision has been made based on the safety concern of all learners being transported by our members to not drive,’ stated WCSSA executive member, Brian Majavie.

‘You are all advised not to take a risk and drive at the same time putting yours and the learners lives in danger.’

The following roads are affected:

– Omarumba Road is closed between Computer and Racecourse Roads due to protesting.

– Airport approach Road is closed from the N2 inbound and the N2 outbound.

– The Borcheds Quarry road access to the Airport is closed at Robert Sobukwe road.

– The N2 inbound is closed at Spine road.

– The intersection of Duinefontein Road and Goven Mbeki Road as well as the R300 has been reopened to traffic.

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Also read:

City responds to taxi strike, safety of commuters a priority

Picture: City of Cape Town / Facebook

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