Taxi strike might start on Monday

By Lelethu Mquqo
11 March 2011

The Western Cape regional and local departments of transport have called on minibus taxi drivers not to go on strike.

Transport MEC Robin Carlisle and the city’s transport councillor Elizabeth Thompson responded to a decision by taxi body Santaco to go on strike from Monday.

They say in a joint statement the strike was called because drivers are upset over taxis being impounded.

They say the strike is ill-advised and unnecessary.

Meanwhile, the Western Cape’s Democratic Alliance controlled provincial and local departments of Transport have accused ANC provincial leader Marius Fransman of being involved in organising the minibus taxi strike.

In a joint statement, Carlisle and Thompson say Fransman was present at the meeting at which Santaco’s executives decided to go on strike.

They say Fransman is prepared to threaten the safety of the public for political gain.