06/08/2023
6 AUGUST 2023
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE BY WESTERN CAPE GOVERNMENT AND CITY OF CAPE TOWN
Government response to continued minibus taxi strike
After urgent engagements throughout the weekend, the Western Cape Government and City of Cape Town are deeply concerned that the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has resolved to continue its ongoing strike and not return to the Minibus Taxi Task Team. The withdrawal of taxi services since Thursday has had a devastating impact across Cape Town and the province. Read more below:
It is with great disappointment that we note that the statement issued by SANTACO contains terms and amendments that were neither tabled nor agreed upon during extensive talks yesterday between the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas, Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Ricardo Mackenzie, National Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga, and the leadership of SANTACO.
‘Alongside the City of Cape Town, we put forward a proposal on Friday to alleviate the impact of impoundments on taxi operators, while we resolve the complex challenges around operating licences and other issues. Unfortunately, SANTACO’s additional demands are not legally implementable and would require longer term engagements with national government and other role players. At this point, we are left with very few options if SANTACO will not return to the table and resume the joint work of our Minibus Taxi Task Team,’ said MEC Ricardo Mackenzie
The terms of the offer were communicated very clearly, both verbally and in writing, and would be contingent upon agreement to the restoration of taxi services and peace.
Among the demands reflected in SANTACO’s statement are allowances for taxis to have priority in yellow and red lanes during rush hour, allowances for traffic obstruction, and a suspension of conditions pertaining to Operating Licenses.
‘It must be noted that there is no mechanism in law that allows for a suspension on the conditions of Operating Licenses, nor does the City have the authority to make amendments to the laws contained in the National Land Transport Act,’ said Councillor Rob Quintas.
This deviation, together with the breach of the agreed-upon embargo of the contents of the negotiations until after the parties had reconvened today raises serious concerns about the sincerity and commitment of SANTACO to reach a resolution in good faith. They also undermine the trust and collaborative spirit that were central to our negotiations.
The associated violence, intimidation and destruction have terrorised communities and placed enormous pressure on essential services and law enforcement. People have been unable to get home to their families or to work, school, shops, clinics and other critical sites. This state of affairs is unacceptable and the consequences now are severe. Many government services, including health and social development, are having to close facilities and are unable to provide desperately needed services to communities.
Our other transport operators, Golden Arrow Bus Services and MyCiTi, have kept running most of their scheduled services under incredibly volatile conditions, and where possible have added fleet capacity to get people home. Golden Arrow Bus Services is now unable to operate within Khayelitsha, Nyanga, Philippi East, Langa and Mfuleni due to extreme vandalism of buses and threats to the safety of drivers and passengers.
‘We attempted to engage in a spirit of genuine good faith to address the concerns of the industry in a practical and constructive manner. The proposed measures of compromise sought to strike a balance between enforcing traffic regulations and ensuring the smooth operation of the public transportation system, which is vital for the mobility and livelihoods of countless residents.
‘The City remains committed to finding a mutually acceptable solution that serves the interests of our residents, the minibus taxi industry, and the overall well-being of our city. We call upon SANTACO's leadership to uphold the principles of transparency, integrity, and respectful engagement as we collectively strive to bring an end to the current impasse,’ councluded Councillor Rob Quintas.
It is further disappointing that the Western Cape E-hailing Association (WCEA) has since joined the minibus-taxi stay-away and is demanding an unconditional moratorium on all further impoundments. This is an additional blow to commuters who would have made use of e-hailing services in the absence of minibus-taxis.
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Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town and Western Cape Government
City of Cape Town media enquiries: Councillor Rob Quintas, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Tel: 021 400 7197 or Cell: 082 042 3502, Email: [email protected] (please always copy [email protected])
Western Cape Government Media enquiries: Rebecca Campbell, Spokesperson for Minister Ricardo Mackenzie, Tel: 076 783 2583 or Email: [email protected]
