GOOD Statement by Shaun August,
GOOD National Organiser and Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament
21 November 2022
The taxi strike action in Cape Town has taken an ugly turn as public violence and unrest resulted in the torching of Golden Arrow and MyCiti busses, further exacerbating the negative impact on the thousands of commuters.
The GOOD party in the Western Cape condemns in the strongest sense the destruction of property and assets which are there to serve the public and oils the machines of our provincial economy.
The torching of busses and the lasting impact this will have on livelihoods in a time of severe economic pressure is unacceptable. It also comes at a time when matriculants can ill-afford any distractions that could poorly affect their final examinations.
Taxi services have enjoyed continued support from the workforce, communities and school children and we call on all associations and national unions to condemn this action and the destruction that it’s sowing.
The people suffering the most are, ultimately, desperate commuters who have been left stranded and are often caught in the line of fire. We sympathise with our provincial workforce and ask employers to be understanding and to not let this affect the job security of our people.
The carelessness of the Western Cape Provincial Government is what sparked this unrest with the failure of Blue Dot Taxi project. This came as no surprise as it was simply a gimmick, not based on any discernible policy, strategy or planning document.
This government is gambling with the lives and futures of millions of its residents and risking incomprehensible damage to a fragmented economy that is struggling to recover.
As GOOD we appeal to all stakeholders involved and call for calm and sensible dialogue to restore order and services to affected communities.
The taxi industry and its associations have a responsibility towards its customer base, and we implore these service providers to consider the interest of those who they serve. The Western Cape Government should also focus on implementing projects that it can sustain, and that provide meaningful support to this industry and ultimately the people they serve.
Media Enquiries:
Shaun August, GOOD National Organiser & Member of Western Cape Provincial Parliament
Cell: 074 746 7378
Email: shauna@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 0733671223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za