Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
11 August 2023 | 12:38pm SAST
1 min read

Photo Credit: WORDCRAFTANNISA

During this week’s edition of the ASRI Report on Radio Islam International, Muhammad Cajee, Executive Director at ASRI, shared his insights on the ongoing challenges within the Cape Town taxi industry and the release of former President Jacob Zuma.

Taxi industry’s compliance with the law

Cajee noted that the city of Cape Town already possessed adequate laws to ensure the taxi industry’s adherence to local and national regulations. It appears that there was no need for new bylaws and increased enforcement efforts. Cajee commented on the seeming subjectivity with which the law to impound vehicles for various infringements was enforced and suggested that it was not enforced upon all road users.

During the interview, the role of the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Police in the situation was discussed. It is peculiar that the National Minister of Transport attempted to intervene by instructing the municipality to release impounded vehicles.

“If you look at the National Road Safety Act and the traffic acts that are in place nationally, you can impound a vehicle,” Cajee said.

It appears that the release of the impounded vehicles contradicts the laws currently in place.

Resolving disputes and averting violence

Regarding the recent strike and clashes between the taxi industry and government authorities, Cajee suggested that alternative conflict resolution methods should be employed. He advocated for the use of courts to address concerns about bylaws or regulations, pointing out that legal action could provide a peaceful avenue for resolving disputes. Cajee emphasised that resorting to violence as a first response was not conducive to a healthy society and called for a culture of peaceful dialogue and resolution.

Jacob Zuma’s release and principle of accountability

The interview shed light on the release of former President Jacob Zuma, who had been imprisoned for contempt of court related to his refusal to testify before the Zondo Commission. It was acknowledged that there were differing opinions on whether Zuma should serve his sentence. The incident appears to symbolise the significance of upholding the principle that nobody is above the law, even former presidents. Cajee considered the release on special remission as pragmatic, taking into account the potential for protests and unrest.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie here.