Cape Town - It will be all hands on deck with law enforcement deployed on major routes across the province and hotspots within the city as the taxi industry forges ahead with its shutdown, starting on Monday.
Taxis transporting thousands of commuters in the province are expected to be parked at various public transport interchanges while other taxi ranks will be empty after the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) announced a strike.
Commuters, including National Senior Certificate (NSC) candidates who may struggle to reach their designated exam centres, have been urged to make alternative arrangements.
At the heart of the issue is the Blue Dot programme, which rewards improved driver behaviour and service, which is expected to end this month.
Taxi drivers are also protesting against the impounding of their vehicles.
“The strike is continuing for two days. The strike will not be extended; however we will embark on similar actions in the coming year,,” said Santaco provincial chairperson Mandla Hermanus.
“We have communicated with our members to refrain from any acts of criminality. The two days will cost the operators around R20 million.
“A notice has been circulated broadly to our members not to engage in acts of violence or intimidation.
“We cannot, however, rule out the possibility that opportunistic criminals might want to take advantage of the strike action, and law enforcement will deal with those,” he added.
Earlier this year the City said that about R40 million worth in damages was endured due to public violence following a taxi protest.
Due to the past event, police say the Public Order Police (POP), the City’s metro police, law enforcement officials, traffic services and security companies will be deployed at strategic positions for prompt and co-ordinated response action. Provincial police spokesperson Novela Potelwa said police and other law enforcement agencies under the auspices of the provincial joint operational and intelligence structure have issued a stern warning to people who may be planning to embark on violent action and disruptions during the taxi strike that may impact on the lives of commuters, other transport operators and motorists.
“The integrated law enforcement agencies remain on high alert in anticipation of scores of commuters who will be left stranded because of the taxi strike and will henceforth opt for other modes of transport.
The police deployments will focus on possible disruptions and violence to alternative modes of transport at the disposal of commuters and road users as well as other infrastructure.
“A plea is made to those who are planning to partake in the strike to operate within the parameters of the law. “Law enforcement agencies will not hesitate to take decisive action against those who transgress the law and infringe on the rights of others.
Law enforcement agencies respect the right of aggrieved parties to strike. However, such action must be undertaken within the confines of the law,” said Potelwa.
She said engagement with the organisers of the strike and relevant authorities remain open.
Provincial Mobility Department spokesperson Jandré Bakker said the Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW), through its traffic law enforcement directorate, was ready to assist with matters that fall within its sphere of control.
“If any public transport operators transgress the conditions of their operating licences, which includes provisions on violent behaviour, the DTPW will take appropriate disciplinary steps through its provincial regulatory entity which could lead to the suspension or even cancellation of their operating licences,” said Bakker.
Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith said police would be the lead agency on matters relating to the strike.
This would include public order policing, but the City’s enforcement services would deploy in support of police.
Golden Arrow Bus Services (Gabs) spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer said they would be guided by authorities in terms of their operations on Monday and Tuesday.
“Unfortunately we cannot predict what our services will look like as we have no foresight or control over how things will unfold. We will endeavour to keep our passengers as informed as possible via our Facebook page and the media.”
Mayco member for urban mobility Rob Quintas said the MyCiTi service will operate as per the normal time schedules during the minibus-taxi industry’s stay-away.
“The City encourages commuters who have access to MyCiTi routes and have valid MyConnect cards to use the service to get to their destinations during the stay-away.
We will be monitoring operations continuously,” said Quintas.
Commuters and transport operators experiencing disruptions are urged to contact the police on 021 466 0011 or the City’s public emergency communication centre at 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.
Cape Times