Santaco has issued a statement condemning the acts of public violence and distancing itself from the perpetrators while applauding the national minister of transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga, for calling for the immediate release of all impounded vehicles.
Also read: Release impounded taxis, says minister of transport
In the statement, Santaco acknowledges the presence of different factions exploiting the tense environment, including opportunistic criminals and frustrated individuals, and claims that the association welcomes the statement made by the national minister of transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga, urging the immediate release of all illegally impounded vehicles.
Santaco said that it appreciates the involvement of national ministers and calls for all parties, including Alderman JP Smith and the City of Cape Town, to return to the negotiating table.
The statement reads:
‘First and foremost, Santaco resolutely condemned the acts of public violence and dissociated itself from all perpetrators involved. It’s regrettable that while there are various factions, including opportunistic criminals and frustrated public members, capitalising on the tense environment, the government has chosen to place the taxi industry at the epicentre of the blame.
Secondly, Santaco welcomes the pronouncement made by the national minister of transport, the Honourable Sindisiwe Chikunga, calling for the immediate release of all illegally impounded vehicles that were unlawfully impounded using laws that are inconsistent with national legislation.
Thirdly, Santaco welcomes the national ministers and calls for all parties, including JP Smith and the City of Cape Town, to return to the negotiating table to find long-lasting solutions to the challenges that we have been raising.
Fourthly, Santaco continues to ask its members to report any incidents of violence, disruption of the public transport service, unlawful blockades and destruction of property. In addition, we call on all of our members to abide by the calls for a peaceful stay away.’
Responding to calls for the release of impounded vehicles, the City of Cape Town has issued a statement correcting misinformation that was conveyed during a press conference by the National Transport Minister. According to the statement, all taxi impoundments within the Cape Town metro area are carried out for offences under the National Land Transport Act (NLTA), not under the City’s by-laws, as claimed by the minister.
The City emphasised its commitment to upholding the rule of law without any bias. It stated that its actions are always aimed at ensuring commuter safety, and it will continue to impound public vehicles, including taxis, for violations under the NLTA. The statement also asserted that the City does not define itself outside of national laws; instead, it is actively implementing the national laws of the land.
The City said that it will not tolerate violence as a negotiating tactic and has called on Santaco to return to the negotiation table peacefully.
The statement further mentioned that the City’s Traffic By-Law has been recently amended to extend impoundments to private vehicles for various serious offences. However, all public vehicles, including taxis, will continue to be dealt with under the provisions of the NLTA, as has been the practice.
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Picture: JP Smith / Facebook