Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
11 August 2023 | 10:20am SAST
1 min read

Picture: eNCA

On Thursday, August 10, 2023, Santaco called off the stayaway with immediate effect after it reached a resolution with the government.

Taxis returned to service this morning, 11 August 2023, after the eight-day strike.

The taxi association met with the provincial government and the City of Cape Town on Thursday to negotiate the release of the minibus taxis that were “wrongly impounded”.

The strike was initiated by Santaco due to disagreements over strict bylaw enforcement; in particular, a disagreement over the law controlling the impounding of vehicles. Santaco’s spokesperson, Rebecca Phala, stated that the taxi industry felt targeted by the city’s attempts to enforce bylaws and impound vehicles over minor infractions, such as a failure to signal lane changes. She highlighted a perceived intent to eliminate taxis, prompting Santaco’s decision to withdraw vehicles from the road.

WESTERN CAPE TAXI STRIKE CALLED OFF pic.twitter.com/wIw6AFIJTV

— Radio Islam (@radioislam) August 11, 2023

The stayaway led to a series of challenges, violence and disruptions affecting the lives of thousands. More than 200,000 commuters, heavily reliant on public transport services, experienced severe disruptions to their daily lives with some having had to walk great distances to and from work.

The violence that ensued during the strike resulted in the loss of at least 5 lives and food shortages in certain areas.

Violent protests linked to the strike also included burning and damaging buses, trucks, private vehicles and facilities.

Santaco conveyed their condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during this time in a statement released on Thursday night.

Mandla Hermus, Santaco’s provincial chairperson apologised to the public for the inconvenience and distress that the strike caused.

“We will move forward. Our operators should be on the road,” Hermus said.

Although Santaco and the City have reached an agreement on the fundamental problem, the parties have not resolved all the smaller details, and will continue to negotiate to address the outstanding issues.

Alan Winde, the Western Cape premier, expressed relief that the minibus stoppage has come to an end.

“The five people who lost their lives, the vehicles, the infrastructure, the burning, the real damage that was done to persons as well as to infrastructure is just unbelievable and cannot be tolerated,” Winde said.

Taxi chaos / Cape Town Mayor welcomes the end to the taxi strike pic.twitter.com/3AueNld6hC

— Radio Islam (@radioislam) August 11, 2023