The City of Cape Town says it has rolled out a fully integrated operational plan in support of South African Police Services, across the metro, ahead of Wednesday’s planned taxi strike by Santaco.
‘’With a concerted effort to protect related
infrastructure and the safety of all citizens, maximum resources have been
deployed over this period. Required budget allowances have been authorised to
bring additional staff on board in an overtime capacity, with a heavy armed
presence at each of the Public Transport Interchanges, including Nyanga,
Bellville, Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, Philippi East, Wynberg, Cape Town and
Kraaifontein,’’ said JP Smith, mayco member for safety and security.
‘’Undercover units will be monitoring strategic
routes, with specially formulated response teams activated per area. Individual
Joint Operation Centres (JOC) will be setup within each area, all coordinated
from the main JOC in Goodwood,’’ he added.
Smith warned that any attempt to blockade or
obstruct any road or thoroughfare will result in immediate impoundment and
arrest of such perpetrators.
‘’Any incidents or acts of public violence that
occur will result in criminal dockets being registered and a prosecution
sought. These will be compiled and actioned directly by the investigative
resource within the directorate.’’
The mayco member acknowledged the right to
strike, but urged Santaco not cause damage and inconvenience other road users.
‘’It is the responsibility of the organiser to
ensure full control and order over any protest action and to ensure it is of a
peaceful nature. Should any incidents of violence or
intimidation occur during this period, the City will immediately roll out a
harsh enforcement plan as was previously seen both in Nyanga and Hout Bay, with
focused enforcement and impoundments on members of the Public Transport
Industry’’.
‘’Further to this, the City will seek a civil
claim for any damages, along with criminal charges against the organisers of
the proposed protest action, leadership of Santaco and its members responsible,’’
added Smith.
He said that SANTACO’s reason for striking over
increased fines and impoundment of minibus taxi’s, is a national government
issue and not a local one.
‘’It must be noted that such enforcement action
is derived from legislation passed from national government more than a decade
back and is nothing new. The City will continue enforcing such legislation in
an effort to protect passengers and fellow road users.’’
Done By: Mitchum George
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