By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South African Police Service (SAPS) have confirmed the arrest of at least 72 people for public violence amid the taxi strike that has left at least two people dead.
The suspects were arrested on charges of public violence and looting.
It comes amid the violent taxi strike by members of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) in the Western Cape, which entered its fifth day on Monday.
The taxi stay-away continued on Monday after Santaco’s Western Cape leadership, City of Cape Town MMC for Urban Mobility Roberto Quintas, and Western Cape Minister of Mobility Ricardo Mackenzie failed to reach an agreement on Sunday afternoon.
Santaco issued a statement on Sunday evening confirming that the stay-away will continue until Wednesday.
Earlier, there were also several incidents of looting at shopping malls in Gugulethu, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Mfuleni and Kraaifontein.
Police saying protestors forced their way into shops before fleeing with household appliances, clothing and liquor.
Many children were among those stranded when Santaco withdrew its services before peak hour due to a dispute with the City of Cape Town related to vehicle impoundments.
According to the Western Cape department of education, the taxi strike prevented 456,020 pupils and 17,449 staff members from getting to school on Monday, with the Cape Town metro education districts being the worst affected.
“This is a significant increase from the 287,000 pupils and 9,500 staff members who were absent on Friday, and is a devastating loss of teaching and learning time that out children simply cannot afford,” said the department.
27 schools had to be closed today due to the taxi strike.
Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said there would be no further discussions with the local Santaco leadership until the violence stops.
“The rule of law is not up for negotiation. We cannot negotiate which portions of the law will apply to some people and not to others. This is not the way we will ever build a successful society in South Africa. The law applies equally to everyone. We will apply the law without fear or favour,” said Hill-Lewis.
We are protecting residents and commuters by opening roads, running buses with escorts, and arresting those perpetrators of violence. Our first priority is protecting residents from violent taxi thugs.
“If Santaco does not choose to end their strike, then we will need to be prepared to stay the course. We are prepared to do so.”
In a statement, Santaco said it was aggrieved by the “perception of the public” that its members were lawless.
“This perception is being fuelled by protestors and not members of our organisation,” said Santaco.
“We call on all members to conduct themselves in a peaceful and lawful manner and ensure that their drivers also adhere to the interim interdict granted on Monday,” it said.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said the provincial government and the City of Cape Town will ask the courts to interdict the strike by taxi operators.