Buses On Fire, N2 Blocked As Taxi Protest Starts In Cape Town
Commuters were hit with another blow as two of the largest taxi associations caused havoc, torching buses and bringing early morning traffic on Cape Town’s busy N2 freeway to a halt in protest of the Western Cape government’s treatment of them.
Authorities in Cape Town were on high alert. Alderman JP Smith, a member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security, stated that the City of Cape Town was aware of the taxi associations’ planned protest.
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Minibus taxis belonging to the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association and the Congress of Democratic Taxi Association blocked the N2 to Cape Town early this morning as they marched toward the city centre to hand over a memorandum of grievances to the offices of Western Cape Premier Alan Winde.
The list of grievances included but was not limited to, taxi impoundments, unfair requirements for the release of impounded taxis, and other issues affecting the Cape’s taxi industry.
Smith stated that the march will begin on Hanover Street and end at the Provincial Legislature on Wale Street.
Smith, on the other hand, stated that there have been incidents and that the City’s enforcement agencies, in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), have activated a response plan.
“Multiple safety risks have arisen from the protest and the City’s enforcement agencies together with the South African Police Service (SAPS), have activated their response plan to protect commuters using public transport.
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“There have been reports of buses set alight in Nyanga as well as of taxis blocking the N2 roadway in the vicinity of Khayelitsha and Kraaifontein. Emergency services and policing agencies are on scene,” Smith said.
He has urged members of the public to call the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre at 021 480 7700 in the event of an emergency.
Bronwen Dyke-Beyer of Golden Arrow Bus Services confirmed that diversions have been made to assist commuters in communities affected by the violence. “Unfortunately, it has been a rough morning across Cape Town. There have been incidents targeting our buses and as such please be aware that we may have to make diversions and other difficult safety-related decisions.
“At present our Nyanga passengers should please be aware that we are operating from Nyanga SAPS,” she said.
Golden Arrow Bus company confirming that three of their busses have been set alight this morning in Nyanga and (Bloekombos) Kraaifontein. #CATA AND #CODETA TAXI STRIKE #eNCA pic.twitter.com/JmkGi5AbEY
— Nobesuthu Hejana (@Nobesutu_Hejana) March 24, 2022
#Protest_Action #Protesting, N2 Inbound at R300, taxi’s slowing down traffic, long delays use alt route #ShareTheRoad pic.twitter.com/W4PWHLllNw
— Cape Town FMS (@CapeTownFreeway) March 24, 2022
#Protest_Action #Protesting, N2 Inbound on Hospital Bend, use alt route and avoid area if possible #ShareTheRoad pic.twitter.com/ogsxaKHNiC
— Cape Town FMS (@CapeTownFreeway) March 24, 2022
This is a developing story.
