Western Cape Premier Alan Winde says he will use all regulatory and legislative mechanisms to deal with the recent taxi violence in Cape Town.
Hundreds of Capetonians were stranded on Thursday, 24 March after Cape Town’s main taxi associates CATA and CODETA, marched to the Premier’s office to submit a memorandum with a list of grievances.
According to Winde, violence and disruption impacts the most vulnerable communities and must be condemned in the strongest terms.
“I think of the many people who are unable to get to work and put food on the table, as we face the second pandemic of joblessness. I also think of the learners who are unable to get to school.
“We cannot accept these violent acts and I call on the SAPS to ensure that law is upheld and that our residents are kept safe. All those responsible for this violence must be arrested and prosecuted,” Winde said.
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The province’s Minister of Transport and Public Works, Daylin Mitchell, further indicated his department indicated that he will not stand by and allow a handful of opportunists to hold the commuters of this province hostage.
According to Mitchell, the leadership of the taxi industry made commitments that this would be a peaceful protest and that it would not disrupt the operations of other public transport providers, however, the commitment was not honoured.
“I have received reports of attacks on Golden Arrow buses, of infrastructure being set on fire, and of other damage to private property. I have been informed of injuries to the people of this city, this is unacceptable,” Mitchell added.
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