Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde says the ongoing violence on Cape Town’s roads is not only costing lives but also livelihoods as residents battle to arrive at work safely. This comes after some transportation operations came to a standstill.
According to Winde, although this is not happening along all the routes, it still has a severe impact and is simply unacceptable that a dispute over routes is now undermining the well-being and safety of residents.
This is the Nyanga terminus.Taxis and buses are not operating. Similarly to the scene in Langa this morning. Taxis are parked.
Bus services are limited. We saw 1 Golden Arrow bus in Langa that was gaurded by SAPS as it loaded passengers. #TaxiViolence pic.twitter.com/Xtj16LPNZs
— Athi Mtongana (@Artii_M) July 20, 2021
Winde says the Provincial Joint Operations Centre (JOC) has in the meantime been activated to specifically address this violence to ensure a collective security response from the SAPS and all other law enforcement partners in the province.
“I used the opportunity to express my grave concern at how a few criminal elements in the industry are holding our province hostage and urged maximum focus by SAPS in ensuring all those responsible are brought to book, and for safe operations to continue,” Winde reiterated.
The Premier will also join the Provincial Police Commissioner, the Provincial Minister of Transport and Public Works, and the MEC for Community Safety on Tuesday, July 20 in briefing the public and the media on the situation while sharing what the Western Cape Government is doing to address this issue.
Meanwhile, the ongoing taxi violence in the City of Cape Town has left thousands of commuters stranded on Monday, July 19. This comes after a Golden Arrow bus driver was shot and wounded, which resulted in the bus company limiting its services as a safety precaution.
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WATCH: Commuters left stranded, Golden Arrow bus drivers fearful
Picture: Cape {town} etc gallery