The City of Cape Town estimates damage amounting to more than R4 million was caused during Thursday’s protest by striking taxi drivers.
Last week, fuming motorists were caught in intense traffic disruptions while public-transport commuters were left stranded, as members of taxi associations CATA and CODETA boarded their taxi’s and slowly made their way to the CBD along the N2. There, they handed a memorandum of demands to the WC Premier Alan Winde, calling for certain township routes to be legalized, a cap on impoundment fees and overall regulation of the industry.
Mayoral committee member for Safety and Security JP Smith announced on Monday that the millions in damage, is only what the metro is aware of, and information received from property owners and entities.
Both associations however distanced themselves from the criminality. CATA SG Mandla Hermanus on Thursday informed VOC that the association will be taking action against those found guilty of any form of violence or intimidation, although not delving into what this entailed.
Spokesperson for Golden Arrow Bus Services, Bronwyn Dyke Beyer, confirmed to VOC that three of its buses were set alight. Services were however operating as per normal on Friday. Dyke-Beyer lamented the violence seen, stating that drivers and passengers may need counselling and that the cost of damages would set the service back.
Various other vehicles- including buses and taxi’s- were stoned. Smith said three of the metro’s traffic officials had to be taken to hospital after they were attacked on the N2.
Winde meanwhile confirmed his receipt of the memorandum, condoning the violence and pointing to the detrimental effect on the economy.
VOC
