Update:
Groups of people forming between Mew Way and Walter Sisulu has been reported while another large group has been seen at the rubbish container after Walter Sisulu.
Authorities have been informed.
A message from Stellenbosch campus security reported protest action in Kayamandi and advised students and residents to stay clear of the area.
Bird street has also been closed off at the Mercedes garage corner.
It has also been advised that residents and commuters avoid Masiphumelele, between Kommetjie, Noordhoek and Capricorn as protest action continues in the area.
It has been reported that the N7 between Plattekloof Road and Malibongwe Drive has been closed due to protesting, both directions affected. Please use an alternative route.
Protest action has been reported in various parts of the Cape, amid the ongoing taxi strike resulting in the closure of several roads.
Acts of violence have also been reported in Stellenbosch where a truck was set alight in Kalamandi. Law enforcement is currently on the scene.
The City of Cape Town has asked users to avoid Postdam Road in Milnerton between Malibongwe Drive and Kilarney Avenue.
Other effected roads include Maroela Street in Jooste Vlakete at Sandringham.
Update:
Despite significant interruptions to Cape Town’s bus services and several reports of isolated protests this morning, the city’s roads are largely back to normal as Santaco’s taxi stayaway continues.
So far a very quiet and peaceful morning on Cape Town roads.
Thank you to law enforcement and SAPS for protecting commuters and guarding busses. I’ll be going to join them now as we help get people around safely. This is our #1 priority.
— Geordin Hill-Lewis (@geordinhl) August 8, 2023
Though the matter remains unresolved, negotiations between the government and Santaco continued late into the evening and will resume this morning.
Road closures remain in place in Nyanga, while reports of burning tyres and protests on the Potsdam Road through Dunoon have also seen the road closed.
Cape Town International Airport is also operating again but passengers have been advised to arrive four hours early for international travel and two hours for domestic flights as the airport is working with a reduced staff complement.
#TaxiStrike Update: Please note that the airport is open and operational. To ensure a smooth travel experience, passengers are advised to arrive 4 hours earlier for international travel and 2 hours earlier for Domestic travel as we are working on a reduced staff complement.
— Cape Town Airport (@capetownint) August 8, 2023
The City of Cape Town and Golden Arrow have been granted an urgent interdict against Santaco’s taxi strike violence, with Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis reiterating that there will be no negotiations until the violence stops.
Also read: Taxi strike update: A message from Cape Town’s mayor
The City joined as an applicant in proceedings on Monday night, with Golden Arrow seeking a contempt order against Santaco for strike-related violence perpetrated earlier in the day.
The order states that no person, vehicle, taxi or driver may unreasonably obstruct, interfere with or block any vehicle on any public road, throughout the City Metropole, in such a manner as to harm passengers or delay or impede the flow of traffic.
BREAKING: The City has obtained an urgent interdict this evening in #TaxiStrike. The order says no person, vehicle, taxi or driver may obstruct, interfere or block any vehicle on any public road, throughout the City, or harm passengers, or delay or impede the flow of traffic. pic.twitter.com/xdjiV5m0JK
— Geordin Hill-Lewis (@geordinhl) August 7, 2023
The interdict further prohibits any person from interfering with the operations of any transportation depot.
‘We welcome the High Court granting us an interdict against Santaco’s taxi strike violence, including attempts to blockade routes and threaten other transport modes and commuters,’ said Hill-Lewis.
‘The City will uphold the rule of law without fear or favour as was demonstrated earlier today with the clearing and impounding of vehicles blockading major routes. This interdict further empowers our work with SAPS to keep our roads open, protect busses and commuters, and arrest the perpetrators of disorder.’
‘We reiterate that until the violence stops, there can be no further discussions. We call on Santaco to stop the violence immediately.’
Over 100 people were arrested during Monday’s protests and almost 50 taxis were impounded.
This is according to Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith, who added that the vehicles were ‘impounded for incidents relating to the public violence including that of blockading public roads’.
Smith added that there had been ‘sporadic attempts at looting’ at smaller retail centres and convenience stores and ‘numerous offenders were arrested’.
‘A large body of evidence has been established which implicates those guilty of orchestrating the violence and disorder. Additional investigative resources from the City have now been made available to SAPS to pursue the prosecution of those guilty of robbery, public violence, and vandalism,’ said Smith.
Meanwhile, Golden Arrow said that they would only be offering ‘severely limited services’ today.
‘Passengers are requested to make other travel arrangements, work from home or to share this information with employers, schools etc,’ GABS said in a statement issued shortly after 5:30am.
‘We are so sorry that the intimidation and interference with our services over the last few days has made it impossible for the service you rely on to assist you at this time.’
Also read:
Picture: JP Smith / Facebook