By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has reiterated the City’s view that taxi impoundments are “legal and effective”, despite comments to the contrary earlier this week from national transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga.
Speaking at a media briefing earlier on Tuesday, the minister called on the city to release taxis that had been seized, saying it was unlawful and labelled the City of Cape Town officials “arrogant”.
Hill-Lewis said the National Land Transport Act (NLTA) Section 87 give the City the power to impound vehicles.
He said the impoundments were not being done using by-laws. The City had gazetted bylaws in July, under the Constitution and the NLTA, which deal with process relating to requirements and infringement processes for all road vehicle users, including passengers.
Hill-Lewis said the 1 August operation by law enforcement to stop a taxi blockade near the station deck should be seen in the context of a gun being present in the melee, and that taxi workers had locked themselves in their vehicles and would not move them.
Stun grenades were fired to clear the road. On 3 August, talks with a task team to resolve the impounding issues broke down, and taxis withdrew their services.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) and transport authorities are now in for a long night to try and get taxis back on the road after a week-long stayaway.
Santaco Western Cape chair Mandla Hermanus said they wanted assurances that there would not be mass impoundings if they returned on Thursday, while Hill-Lewis has said that only those violating the law are at risk of this.
But relations between the parties were raw after an exhaustive week of extreme violence in some sectors of Cape Town, where ordinary drivers had rocks thrown at them, Golden Arrow buses were damaged while they tried to pick up the slack, and several people were killed.
On Tuesday the Western Cape High Court granted the City of Cape Town and Golden Arrow Bus Services an interdict against Santaco.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has also weighed-in on the matter, calling on taxi operators and the City of Cape Town to resolve their issues through negotiations.
Ramaphosa made the remarks during his Women’s Day address at the Union Buildings.
The official government event was originally set to take place in the Western Cape, but was moved to Tshwane amid the violent strike.
“As we celebrate Women’s Day here at the Union Buildings, we are disturbed by the troubling events in the city of Cape Town,” Ramaphosa said.
“While our democracy protects peaceful protest and lawful strike action, we strongly condemn the violence and destruction caused by this dispute. We are appalled by the killings and assaults that have taken place.”
Ramaphosa said despite the problems faced by taxi industry, the law must be upheld.
“Blocked roads lead to blocked business, blocked education and blocked health services, which will have long-lasting effects on life in the city. We must uphold the law and we must solve problems through meaningful dialogue.
“Today, we think of the women of Khayelitsha and the rest of Cape Town. We think about the men and the children and the families that are trying to go about their lives in peace and in safety.”