By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Cabinet has directed the Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga, to ensure that any taxi operating in contradiction with the laws of the Republic is removed from the road.
This follows the ongoing impasse between the SA National Taxi Council (SANTACO) Western Cape and the City of Cape Town, which has escalated into a violent strike due to the impounding of taxi vehicles by the City of Cape Town.
Santaco meanwhile has confirmed that it will sit down with the City of Cape Town and Western Cape Government at 13:00 on Thursday.
The organisation had previously declined to attend talks with authorities, saying the agenda did not reflect the issues preventing them from operating.
Santaco spokesperson Ryno Saaiers said the about-turn came as the organisation confirmed their commitment to “resolve the issues around our vehicles being impounded and ending of the stay away”.
In a social media statement on Thursday morning, Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said a meeting had been scheduled for 12:00, with Premier Alan Winde expected to join the discussions.
While Cabinet noted that there have been no violent incidents in the last 48 hours, Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said Cabinet condemned the violence and anarchy in Cape Town.
Cabinet also called on SANTACO to ensure that its protest action is peaceful and does not interfere with the rights of others.
“Members of the South African Police Service and other law-enforcement agencies have been directed to ensure the violent situation is under control to allow residents safe movement to school, work and their normal daily activities.
“Cabinet was also briefed about the City of Cape Town’s imposing of taxi operating conditions which are at variance with both the National Road Traffic, 1996 (Act 93 of 1996) and the National Land Transport Act, 2009 (Act 5 of 2009), which regulate traffic offences and the applicable penalties, including the impounding of vehicles,” Ntshavheni said on Thursday.
She was briefing media in Pretoria on the outcomes of a Cabinet meeting that was held on Tuesday.
Government to close open shafts, mine holes
“Cabinet welcomed the deployment of a special police unit, which is supported by the military, in Riverlea, Johannesburg, to deal with illegal mining in the area.
Residents of Riverlea took to the streets at the end of July to protest against illegal mining in the area.
The protest came a day after the police discovered five bodies believed to be those of illegal miners.
Since the protests, some 194 suspected illegal miners have been arrested, of which 170 were undocumented persons.
“In addition, Cabinet commended the arrest of over 194 suspects over illegal mining activities and directed law-enforcement agencies to urgently clamp down on this and other serious crimes in the country, “Ntshavheni, said on Thursday.
Cabinet has approved the pre-release calendar for the publication of the quarterly crime statistics for the 2023/24 financial year.
“The crime statistics will be released in August and November 2023 for quarters one and two, and February and May 2024 for quarter three and quarter four, respectively. The frequent release of crime statistics is important for monitoring crime trends and better decision-making in the fight against crime,” Ntshavheni said.
Cabinet also approved the submission of the draft National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Amendment Bill of 2023 to Parliament.
“The Bill amends the NPA Act, 1998 (Act 32 of 1998) to provide for the establishment of the Investigating Directorate as a permanent entity within the NPA, and to also strengthen its investigative powers,” the Minister said.
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