City depot petriol bombed; vehicles destroyed as SANTACO stayaway continues

A city depot in Delft was petrol-bombed and at least seven official vehicles damaged or destroyed in Cape Town on Saturday, as the taxi stay away by SANTACO continues.

Last night, a City of Cape Town depot in Delft was petrol-bombed.

At least seven vehicles belonging to different departments, including enforcement vehicles, were damaged or completely destroyed.

Three vehicles were torched in Makhaza.#TaxiStrike pic.twitter.com/l7pHDvVtRa

— Veve (@LudidiVelani) August 6, 2023

Giving an update on Sunday, the city of Cape Town said the latest incidents were seemingly related to the weeklong strike called on Thursday by Santaco in protest over grievances such as their vehicles being impounded.

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In Atlantis on Saturday, City traffic officers responded to reports of public violence.

‘’On arrival, a taxi, seeing the enforcement vehicle, made a u-turn, and sped off. The officers gave chase, assisted by SAPS, and when the taxi was brought to a stop, officers found the vehicle loaded with tyres and arson implements,’’ said mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith

He added that six suspects were arrested. Furthermore, at least 110 criminal cases have been registered for incidents relating to the strike.

‘’While SANTACO has attempted to distance itself from the criminal acts witnessed in the last five days, the organisation should have anticipated that calling for the strike would have resulted in this chaos – as is the case every single time – and they have to accept responsibility. The City notes the list of demands received from SANTACO yesterday [Saturday].’’

‘’It must be clear: While the City still extends its invitation for SANTACO to return to the previously established task team, there can be no points of negotiation around the enforcement of national legislation. The safety of commuters and road users in general, must remain the priority for all concerned,’’ added JP Smith, mayoral committee member for safety and security.

 

Done By: Esona Mfazwe