Update:
After initially declining the invitation, Santaco agreed to meet with the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government (WCG) this afternoon in a bid to end the ongoing taxi strike.
Talking to the media following the meeting’s adjournment, Premier Alan Winde said the City and WCG have put a ‘very reasonable offer on the table’ in their discussions with the taxi organisation.
Winde and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis confirmed that no final agreement has been reached as yet, expressing that they would have hoped to have done so.
In a post-meeting media statement, Hill-Lewis said ‘we are hopeful of an imminent end to strike action having made reasonable and considerate proposals which Santaco have pledged to consult their team on’.
Hill-Lewis added that the City’s first consideration in making its proposal remains the safety of commuters in the city and in the province, as well as making its roads safer at all times.
‘Our proposals are made in this spirit, and we hope that Santaco will end the strike action and return to negotiations so that resolutions can be found without compromising the principle of the rule of law,’ said Hill-Lewis.
‘We are confident that constructive engagements with industry can achieve a shared understanding of the law, including which offences the law regards as impoundable or fineable,’ he added.
According to the City, all impoundments are effected in line with applicable legislation, with specific legal mechanisms for the release of impounded vehicles to which the City is bound.
City’s MMC for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas added that it is in the interest of all parties involved to resolve the challenges, and for Santaco to end the strike.
‘The minibus-taxi industry plays a vital role and is a major public transport stakeholder. We know from the City’s latest Comprehensive Integrated Public Transport Plan (CTIP) for 2022 that 22% of commuters in Cape Town make use of minibus-taxis, with about 830 000 passenger trips made per day,’ said Quintas.
‘We are looking forward to more constructive engagements with their leadership,’ concluded Quintas.
The proposal has been taken to the Santaco office in Bellville for further deliberation among the team while City of Cape Town awaits the taxi body’s decision on an end to strike action.
Details surrounding the proposal could not be given at the time as Santaco has asked for space and time to review it.
No time frame was provided as to when a response from the taxi organisation will be made.
Updates to follow.
Update:
Santaco has declined an invitation to meet with the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government at noon today in a bid to end the ongoing taxi strike.
The taxi organisation claimed the proposed agenda for this meeting covered topics that were due to be discussed at future meetings of the Western Cape Minibus Taxi Task Team.
As of 9:30am, all major routes were open with free-flowing traffic. Buses were also operating across the city, albeit with a law enforcement escort.
📢Here's an update from the Mayor of Cape Town, @geordinhl on the #TaxiStrike.
"Following 48 hrs without incident, and a peaceful morning traffic peak, Premier Winde and I have invited Santaco for a discussion at 12pm.
We continue to protect busses and now also food trucks." pic.twitter.com/0Zh52BblKl
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) August 10, 2023
‘Already we have started rolling out our dash cam technology and it has provided us with valuable situational awareness,’ said Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith in a recent update on social media.
‘Our camera network has assisted in bringing factual evidence that we will be using in our criminal investigations and in our efforts to bring civil claims against those who have been responsible for the damage to property.’
‘Up until Wednesday, there has 198 criminal cases registered at SAPS relating to the Santaco strike. These include charges of murder, arson as well as malicious damage to property, assault and grievous bodily harm.’
Smith further reminded all who have suffered any form of loss, damage or injury to register such a case at their nearest police station.
Update:
Dunoon and Langa have been flagged as high-risk areas and motorists are urged to proceed with caution as Santaco’s taxi stay-away continues.
This comes after debris was thrown across the roadway at Jake’s Gerwel closed at N2 direction towards Epping, resulting in a road closure of over two hours.
However, the road was opened again at shortly after 5:30am this morning.
The city has also confirmed that a truck was set alight in Langa.
‘After relative calm over the past 48 hours, we have recorded a few sporadic incidents in the last few hours, including incidents of stone-throwing along Potsdam road, and a truck set alight in Langa,’ said Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith.
Another two days of strikes are expected for the Mother City following Santaco’s application for an interdict against the impounding of taxis.
Also read:Â Santaco engages city officials over taxi impoundment issues
The interdict will also prevent the City of Cape Town from impounding any further vehicles and is expected to take 48 hours.
As a result, the taxi governing body has advised its members that regular taxi services will remain suspended until the legal process has reached its conclusion.
STATEMENT
Taxi operations in the Western Cape remain withdrawn. We wish to apologize for the inconvenience that this causes to our commuters.
Read the full statement below. pic.twitter.com/tw6unU8A7P
— SANTACO (@SA_Taxis) August 9, 2023
It has been reported that Transport Minister Sindi Chikunga flew to Cape Town to participate in negotiations, while President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the violence as a result of the strike.
‘For as long as SANTACO adheres to the interdict against violence and disruption, the City stands ready to continue negotiations at any time so that resolutions can be found without compromising the principle of the rule of law,’ said CoCT mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis last night. ‘It is entirely within SANTACO’s powers to end the strike and return to constructive talks.’
‘The continued strike action means that many communities are struggling with ongoing disruptions to their daily lives and ability to earn a living. People are going hungry and we will do whatever we can to help together with NGO partners like Gift of the Givers and Heal our Land while the taxi strike continues.’
‘We urge SANTACO to end the siege this stay-away has placed on especially the most vulnerable communities in our city,’ said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
Both Gift of the Givers and Heal Our Land have responded to the request and the City’s disaster relief teams will be working with them to coordinate efforts.
Meanwhile, Premier Alan Winde has expressed his deep disappointment that the minibus taxi strike will continue.Â
‘The poor are suffering the most due to this strike and each day that it drags on is a major setback to them. The impact has been devastating on them and our economy,’ he lamented.
He added that it was of the utmost importance that residents be allowed to move freely in the province.
📢 JOINT MEDIA RELEASE ON THE MINIBUS #TAXISTRIKE. pic.twitter.com/xMs2Vv5qDD
— Premier Alan Winde 🇿🇦 (@alanwinde) August 9, 2023
‘It is crucial that residents are able to access critical services, such as healthcare, schooling, and social development. The violence that has accompanied the strike and severe disruptions to daily life are an affront to the dignity and rights of our residents.’
‘We believe that SANTACO-WC wants to pursue an interdict against the impoundment of its vehicles. We welcome this move, as it will give clarity and clear up any differences of understanding on the legislation regarding impoundments.’
Provincial Minister for Mobility Ricardo Mackenzie added, ‘We have requested an urgent meeting with SANTACO-WC tomorrow, to discuss the agenda of issues to address. We are committed to resolving the challenges facing the mini-bus taxi sector. These are complex issues that will take time to resolve. But we can only overcome them if we work together in the interests of our citizens.’
Premier Winde said, ‘Myself and Minister Mackenzie met with the National Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga and Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, this evening to plot a way forward to work together as different spheres of government that must urgently find an end to the industrial action.’
Also read:
Taxi strike continues as Santaco pursues interdict for impounded taxis
Picture:Â JP Smith / Facebook