GEORGE NEWS - Yesterday marked the seventh day, and possibly the end, of the taxi strike that was announced by the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) for the Western Cape last week.
While it has been relatively calm here in George with a few minor incidents, in Cape Town at least five people have died, vehicles were pelted with stones, buses and municipal vehicles have been petrol bombed and thousands of commuters were left stranded.
The strike comes after at least 15 minibuses were impounded in Cape Town last Tuesday in accordance with a new municipal law that gives the city the power to impound vehicles over offences such as driving without a licence, not displaying registration plates or overloading.
Situation in George
Since the start of the strike, many commuters from Thembalethu have been walking to work, as passengers were being forced out of vehicles at Fourways, at the entrance to Thembalethu.
On Friday two women who were on their way to work from Thembalethu in a car at about 07:00 were stopped as they neared the bridge over the N2. A man who was holding a brick threatened them to get out.
They crossed the bridge on foot and a male friend who was fortunately in the vicinity, eventually drove the car to the other side of the bridge where they got in again. This has happened to many motorists since the strike started. Similar incidents occurred on Monday and Tuesday.
Late Monday night, a container which was used as a kiosk by Go George was also set alight. No one was injured and no arrests have been made.
Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies confirmed that an arson docket was opened for investigation at the Thembalethu Police Station.
Police urge the public to come forward with any information that could assist police to apprehend the perpetrators.
Anyone with information can contact the Thembalethu Police on 044 802 8906 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
On Tuesday evening, motorists travelling on the N2 were warned after incidents of stones being thrown at vehicles near Thembalethu were reported.
The public is urged to remain vigilant at all times and to keep in mind that unrest can flare up within minutes in any area.
Police and other law enforcement agencies remain in hotspots and are constantly assessing the situation. Hospitals in Oudtshoorn, Knysna and George are operating at reduced capacity, the Heath Department said in a statement on Tuesday.
No schools in George were closed, but on Friday, many learners who live in Thembalethu but attend school elsewhere in George stayed home after the road was blocked at the entrance of the neighbourhood.
In a statement on Monday 7 August, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) said the number of learners missing school in the province had increased to over 456 000 by Monday.
The taxi strike prevented 456 020 learners and 17 449 staff members from getting to school on Monday, with the Cape Town metro education districts being the worst affected.
A Go George container kiosk was set alight late Monday night.
PBI asks for cool heads
In a statement, the PBI this week called on all involved in the taxi industry and government "to act with utmost caution in dealing with this very sensitive situation" and criticised the "draconian by-laws of the city of Cape Town".
Read their full statement below:
The PBI wishes to call on all involved in the Taxi industry and government to act with utmost caution in dealing with this very sensitive situation. Our prayers are with those who suffered injuries and fatalities during this time.
We are delighted that the national minister of transport will apply for an urgent interdict against the draconian by-laws of the city of Cape Town and other towns in order to test the Constitutionality of these by-laws.
For a very long time the PBI raises concerns over a number of by-laws in the Province of the Western Cape. As a party we have always maintained that some of these by-laws do not meet the Constitutional requirements and can therefore not be implemented.
The notion that the Western Cape is an independent state within our country, is creating a false perception and a narrative that by-laws can just randomly be changed to suit the political agenda of the ruling DA and it's coalition partners. The Western Cape is acting as if they are a first world country within a developing country.
The arbitrary impoundment of taxis and vehicles cannot be accepted in a Constitutional democracy. This is a direct misinterpretation of our democratic laws and a travesty of justice. These strongarm tactics belong to our apartheid past.
It is clear that the DA has no regard for the livelihoods of the citizens and the economic activity in this Province. They are hellbent to persue their political agenda at any cost to draw the attention of the electorate before the 2024 national and provincial elections.
It is now vividly clear that they have overplayed their hand and simultaneously expose their rightwing agenda showing carelessness to the citizens of the Western Cape. The PBI is in support of all organizations calling for the release of impounded taxis and the normalization of law and order in our streets.
These coward, apartheid tactics of the DA must come to an immediate end.
Many people, in particular the working class, are losing much needed income and business suffer loss of income. School children and students are deprived of attending class. This senseless act of provoking the taxi industry and by extension the community, is the epitome of arrogance and deception.
There is no need whatsoever to bring communities and business to a standstill just to show muscle and power. The DA must accept full responsibility for their foolishness and conceit. The Western Cape is not a colony on it's own and must comply with national laws and regulations.
Late Monday night, a container which was used as a kiosk by Go George was also set alight. No one was injured and no arrests have been made.
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