GOOD Press Statement by Jonathan Cupido,
GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor
3 August 2023
The Western Cape South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has decided to embark on immediate strike action until 9 August.
Once again, the City of Cape Town’s streets have descended into complete chaos.
Commuters have been left stranded as buses are torched and highways are blocked.
The relationship between the City of Cape Town and SANTACO soured on Tuesday following a law enforcement operation in the city’s CBD.
Several taxis were impounded under the city’s new by-laws.
The new by-laws allow the city to take the law into their own hands and impound vehicles without a court order rather than fining drivers for breaching any rules.
As the GOOD party, we respect the rights of SANTACO to embark on strike action but cannot condone acts of violence or criminality.
Taxi operators cannot hold the city to ransom.
GOOD calls on SANTACO to show leadership and encourage its members to refrain from acts of lawlessness.
SANTACO has stopped participating in the province’s Minibus Taxi Task Team, due to the “increase and continuous impoundments of vehicles” and the “lack of progress on issues tabled”.
The City of Cape Town has defended its decision to impound vehicles instead of issuing fines.
According to the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Roberto Quintas “The fact remains that commuter safety is our core priority, and we cannot bend on matters that directly compromise safety”.
Quintas admits that “the vast majority of impoundments are for driver behaviour”, which goes to the taxi driver’s argument that they should be fined as it is not a vehicle infringement.
GOOD agrees that the city needs rules for the safe transportation of all citizens but the city needs to serve all sectors of the transport industry, not just those who drive luxury vehicles.
The City of Cape Town and SANTACO need to put their pride aside and come together at the negotiating table to find a long-term solution to the impasse.
Once again it is the commuters that are left suffering.
The GOOD party hopes that all commuters find a safe passage home.
Media Enquiries:
Jonathan Cupido, GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor
Cell: 084 865 8122
Email: jonathanc@forgood.org.za
Samantha Jackson, GOOD Acting Media Manager
Cell: 083 550 9875
Email: media@forgood.org.za