The taxi violence has caused havoc in parts of the city, with hundreds injured, commuters left stranded and vehicles either torched or stoned on Monday.
This comes after the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) withdrew from the Minibus Taxi Task Team set up to address numerous challenges in the industry.
The strike is also against the City’s continued impounding of taxis under the newly-implemented bylaws.
Motorists were urged to use alternative routes after the N7 had been closed off near Dunoon due to a truck having been set alight on Friday 4 August.
Police confirmed protesters threw stones at vehicles on the N7. It was closed in both directions between Plattekloof and Malibongwe Drive.
“Vehicles turned around and found alternative routes via Montague Gardens,” police said.
Ward councillor Angus Mckenzie confirmed Vanguard Hospital had to close its doors due to harassment and attacks on staff in Bonteheuwel.
“Staff had been traumatised and will require counselling after protesters stormed the facility after a linked individual had been brought in for treatment,” he related. “In consultation with hospital management I completely agree with the decision taken.”
No solution yet
Santaco leaders in the province have reiterated their taxi strike will continue until their demands have been met.
The taxi body wanted an end to the impounding of vehicles by law-enforcement agencies.
According to Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith around 35 people were arrested on Monday.
Sunday night’s talks among Santaco taxi industry leaders, the Western Cape government and the City of Cape Town came to naught, with no solutions yet agreed to.
Provincial mobility MEC Ricardo Mackenzie on Monday said negotiations had stalled.
“I’m sad commuters will have to go through disruptions again,” he said. “Working with my colleagues in the City of Cape Town, we’ll have the MyCiTi buses out and Golden Arrow will continue getting their buses out to continue to get commuters to and from work safely.
“Our law-enforcement agencies will assist with providing safety to these buses to assist commuters to get to work safely.”
Meanwhile, the Golden Arrow Bus Service’s Bronwen Dyke-Beyers explained the company had won an interim High Court order against Santaco after half a dozen of its buses were torched.
