2023 Cape Town taxi strike

The 2023 Cape Town taxi strike, also known as the 2023 Western Cape taxi strike, was a law enforcement dispute between minibus taxi operators in the Western Cape province of South Africa, as represented by South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), and the City of Cape Town.[5] The strike started at 13:00 SAST on Thursday, 3 August 2023 and is currently ongoing although SANTACO stated their intention to end the strike after 7 days on 10 August 2023[6] but confirmed its continuation indefinitely on 9 August.[7]

2023 Western Cape taxi strike
Part of Taxi wars in South Africa
Date2 August 2023 - 10 August 2023[1]
Location
Western Cape, South Africa
Caused byImplementation of the National Land Transport Act and the impoundment of violating taxis.[2][3]
GoalsStop the impounding of taxis for infringing national and municipal laws, address other outstanding grievences.[2]
MethodsSuspension of minibus taxi services, road blocks, protests, stoning of vehicles, torching vehicles, shootings.
Resulted inSANTACO accepts initial offer by the City of Cape Town
Parties

South African National Taxi Council

  • Minibus Taxi Operators
Lead figures

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis
Alderman JP Smith

Casualties
Death(s)5[4]
Arrested120[4]
DamageMultiple public buses and private vehicles set alight, municipal and private property damage, a number of private businesses looted.

The strike was started after SANTACO claimed that minibus taxi drivers had been unfairly targeted by authorities impounding their vehicles for legal and road safety infractions,[8] a secondary grievance was a lack of progress with resolving other grievances.[9] SANTACO stated that a requirement for ending the strike was that all impounded minibus taxis be released without having to pay any fines.[10]

People allegedly associated with the strikers violently attacked motorists, municipal and public bus operators & drivers, commuters, and police officers.[6] SANTACO denied being involved in any violence associated with the strike as they were not operating following its start.[11]

The Cape Town neighbourhoods of Philippi[12] and Nyanga experienced the worst violence.

Background

Prior to the incident the Western Cape province had seen numerous violent incidents ranging from taxi operators targeting public busses and trains,[9] to violent conflicts between minibus taxi operators such as during the 2021 Cape Town taxi conflict. Violence targeting public busses and service delivery trucks often occurred following law enforcement efforts focused on unlicensed taxi drivers and unroadworthy minibus taxis.[9]

On 2 August 2023 the City of Cape Town impounded a number of minibus taxis at the Cape Town Central Taxi rank in the city centre for violating the National Land Transport Act which authorises the impounding of offending vehicles.[2][3] Taxi drivers responded by blocking the exit route from the rank. A traffic officer was assaulted and shots were fired. The authorities responded with tear gas and stun grenades. The city's alderman for safety and security, JP Smith, denied accusations of police brutality during the impoundments and stated that the city would not be intimidated by violent elements within the minibus taxi industry when enforcing national legislation.[9][2]

By the end of the day 15 minibus taxis were impounded and 2 drivers were arrested.[9]

Timeline

3 - 4 August

On 3 August, the first day of the strike, road closures were reported on the N2, M5 highways and Jakes Gerwel Drive. Incidents of looting were reported in the area between Duinefontein and Jakes Gerwel Drive and a bus was set alight at the Nyanga taxi rank.[6] Tens of thousands of commuters were left stranded across the city.[13][11] A British tourist, Dr Kar Hao Teoh,[14][15] was shot and killed after unintentionally turning into Ntlangano Crescent, Nyanga.[16][4]

On 4 August, the second day of the strike, a municipal police officer was shot dead in Nyanga leading to the City of Cape Town to offer a R250,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator.[17][18] A Golden Arrow bus driver was shot and wounded on same day, the bus he was driving was set alight.[8] Following the 4 August attack on their driver Golden Arrow Bus Services obtained a court interdict against SANTACO affiliated minibus taxi associations to "not intimidate, harass, threaten or interfere with Golden Arrow’s operations, its employees and passengers."[5]

The Western Cape Department of Health announced that it was temporarily closing Vanguard Hospital in Bonteheuwel following incidents of staff harassment and attacks by people associated with the strike.[19] Other sporadic acts of violence were reportedly committed by minibus taxi drivers along the N2 highway.[8]

5 – 7 August

One person died in Mfuleni on 5 August when a delivery truck was looted and private security guards pelted with stones.[10]

Talks between SANTACO and the City of Cape Town to resolve the strike collapsed on 6 August. The City blamed additional SANTACO demands that were not "not legally implementable" such as the return of impounded taxis without having to pay fines.[10]

On Monday 7 August, the fifth day of the strike, 2 people were shot dead,[20][21] 35 arrests were made,[22] a City depot in Delft was firebombed,[23] and an additional 4 buses and 3 private vehicles were set alight allegedly by strikers associated with the minibus taxi industry. Protest action was report in area around Philippi and Hout Bay.[24]

The Western Cape government stated their intention to pursue legal action against striking taxi operators.[25]

8 – 9 August

On 8 August Transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga called for the City of Cape Town to release all impounded minibus taxis and accused the implementation of city bylaws as being responsible for inciting the strike.[26] The mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, denied Chikunga's accusation and stated that the impounding of all minibus taxis was done entirely in accordance with the National Land Transport Act.[27][28]

By the 9 August South African Police Minister Bheki Cele stated that a total of 5 people were reported dead, 120 people had been arrested. He also stated that 53 taxis were impounded in law enforcement operations clearing a taxi blockade on 3 August.[16][4]

10 August

The strike came to an end on Thursday, 10 August following late night negotiations between the city and SANTACO.[1] Western Cape Premier Alan Winde stated that SANTACO accepted the same deal offered to it before the strike.[1]

Impact

The City of Cape Town stated that SANTACO failed in its strike objective to get taxis impounded for violating the National Land Transport Act and instead accepted the city's original offer. Specifically that minibus taxis will continue to be impounded for driving without an operating or divers licence, on incorrect taxi routes, or for driving vehicles that were not roadworthy. It was also agreed that negotiations would continue with the taxi operators to compile a list of major offences that vehicles could be impounded for and compile a list of minor offences that vehicles could not be impounded for. SANTACO also agreed not to call for another strike in the middle of the working day.[29]

A total of 5 people were reportedly killed in instances relating to the strike and 120 people arrested.[16] At least 5 buses were allegedly by taxi strikers torched and over 60 minibus taxis impounded by the authorities. It was reported that criminal elements took advantage of the chaos surrounding the strike action to loot a number of businesses and malls in the Gugulethu, Mfuleni, Nyanga, Khayelitsha and Kraaifontein areas of Cape Town.[30] The provincial education minister stated that the strike significantly impacted schooling for its first few days with over 450,000 students and 17,500 teachers being prevented from getting to schools across Cape Town.[12]

Followup protests

On 3 October 2023 the Economic Freedom Fighters held a protest march and attempted transport shutdown against what they claimed was the City of Cape Town's policy of "unjust taxi impoundments"[31] and called for impounded mini-bus taxis to be immediately released.[32] SANTACO[33] and the African National Congress withdrew from the protest before it took place and instead urged for a peaceful resolution to the issue of taxi impoundments.[34]

See also

References
  1. Ludidi, Velani (10 August 2023). "Santaco gained nothing from taxi strike, says Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  2. JP Smith weighs in on Santaco operations, SABC News, 3 August 2023, retrieved 7 August 2023
  3. Hlati, Okuhle (7 August 2023). "Taxi impasse far from over". Cape Times.
  4. Ho, Vivian (9 August 2023). "British doctor shot and killed in Cape Town amid violent taxi strike protests". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  5. "Two killed, buses and cars torched as Cape Town taxi strike continues". The Mail & Guardian. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  6. Masson, Eunice (3 August 2023). "Chaos, violence on major Cape Town roads as taxis go on strike". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  7. Cape Town taxi strike set to continue indefinitely - Vanessa Poonah updates, SABC News, retrieved 9 August 2023
  8. Nombembe, Philani (4 August 2023). "Bus driver shot, violence flares as Western Cape taxi strike enters day 2". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  9. Masson, Eunice (2 August 2023). "Cape Town tense as taxis and cops clash". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  10. Marks, Samane Jnr; Ludidi, Velani (6 August 2023). "TRANSPORT STRIFE: Brace for another day of Western Cape taxi strike after Santaco-government talks collapse". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  11. Reporters, Daily Maverick (4 August 2023). "TRANSPORT STRIFE: Day 2 of Western Cape taxi strike begins with shot bus driver, burning tyres, fresh scramble to get to work". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  12. Falithenjwa, Qaqamba; Phaliso, Sandiso (7 August 2023). "Taxi drivers chase school children in day of violence in Cape Town". GroundUp News. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  13. W Cape taxi stay away leaves thousands of commuters stranded, SABC News, 5 August 2023, retrieved 7 August 2023
  14. "Tributes to British surgeon Kar Hao Teoh killed in South Africa". BBC News. 10 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  15. Rall, Se-Anne (11 August 2023). "Tributes pour in for award-winning surgeon Dr Kar Hao Teoh shot dead in Cape Town during taxi strike". IOL.
  16. "Photos: Five killed in South Africa's Cape Town amid taxi strike". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  17. Solomons, Lisalee. "Cape Town mayor offers R250 000 reward for info on LEAP officer's murder". News24. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  18. Zagagana, Melikhaya. "250K reward for information as manhunt for CT LEAP officer's killer continues". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  19. McCain, Nicole. "Taxi strike: Cape Town hospital forced to close after staff targetted by protesters". News24. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  20. "Taxi strike: Chaos and mayhem as protesters run rampant in parts of Cape Town". News24. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  21. Marks, Velani Ludidi, Suné Payne and Samane Jnr (7 August 2023). "TAXI STRIFE: Day 5 – Two people killed in two incidents near airport as Western Cape taxi strike continues". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 7 August 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. "Two dead, 35 arrested as violent taxi strike grips Cape Town". BusinessLIVE. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  23. Mthethwa, Cebelihle. "City depot petrol-bombed, 7 cars damaged, 3 torched and 6 suspects arrested during CT taxi strike". News24. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  24. Jacobs, Yasmine (7 August 2023). "Cape Town taxi strike: We debunk the fake news". IOL News. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  25. McCain, Compiled by Nicole. "Cape Town taxi strike: Western Cape govt to pursue legal action, says Premier Winde". News24. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  26. Luvhengo, Phathu (8 August 2023). "Transport minister calls for Cape Town to release impounded taxis, citing city bylaws as cause of friction". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  27. Evans, Jenni. "Cape Town mayor promises no 'malicious' impounding of taxis, as talks to end strike continue into night". News24. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  28. Cape Town defies minister's order to release impounded taxis, Newsroom Africa, 9 August 2023, retrieved 9 August 2023
  29. Ludidi, Velani (10 August 2023). "Santaco gained nothing from taxi strike, says Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  30. Marks, Samane Jnr (14 August 2023). "Cape Town taxi strike – Looted malls and stores count the costs". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  31. Payne, Suné (28 September 2023). "Taxi association Santaco distances itself from EFF's planned Western Cape 'shutdown' on Monday". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  32. Nkonki, Anita (3 October 2023). "EFF demands illegally impounded taxis be released immediately". www.msn.com. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  33. "Santaco distances itself from EFF taxi 'shutdown' in Cape Town". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  34. Charles, Marvin. "'Taxis will operate as normal': Santaco, ANC distance themselves from Cape Town EFF taxi protest". News24. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
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