Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
09 August 2023 | 15:30 CAT

Image: SowetanLIVE

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has called for the City of Cape Town to release, without any conditions immediately, the taxis impounded under the City’s amended traffic by-laws. Those impounded under national laws are not affected by this reprieve.

Chikunga addressed the media on Tuesday in Midrand on the government’s interventions in the taxi strike called by Santaco in the Western Cape. She said the political leadership in the City of Cape Town has been arrogant in its approach towards negotiating a peace settlement with the taxi industry.

Chikunga added that her ministry believes the taxi strike won’t end until the city overturns the unlawful by-law and releases all taxis impounded under it.

Santaco has also listed several other demands.

The minister also accused the City of using the wrong by-laws to impound 6,000 taxis.

But MMC for Safety and Security in Cape Town JP Smith denied the claim by the minister and accused her of inciting violence.

“The Minister is profoundly ill-informed and starting to make a habit of doing so. We have said many times including through several months of dialogue and engagement with the mini bus taxi associations. No minibus taxi has ever been impounded within Cape Town, because of a by-law. Never. Taxis have only been impounded under her National Land Transport Act. It’s her Act. From 2009. If it is illegal, how come she only decided this today? After 14 years,” said Smith.

According to Smith, the National Land Transport Act exclusively permits the impoundment of public transport vehicles. However, in 2022 the City approved its by-law, which extends the impoundment of vehicles to private vehicles in the interest of equity and has no involvement in this case.

As the taxi strike is on its seventh day, News24 reported that Santaco was set to hold a briefing at 11:30 this morning, which has now been pushed out to later.

“The attitude from ourselves as well as from government will determine whether our operators are ready to resume service,” said Western Cape Santaco chairperson Mandla Hermanus at their headquarters in Bellville.

Meanwhile, Western Cape transport officials said there has been calm on the roads.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Moulana Junaid Kharsany.