City reports more public violence, SANTACO talks continue

The City says it recorded numerous incidents over the past 24-hours, seemingly related to the ongoing taxi strike.

On Saturday, a City 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 also torched in Makhaza.

The incidents have been difficult to pin on taxi operators or SANTACO.

But a proverbial ”smoking gun” may have been found – City traffic officers responded to reports of public violence in Atlantis on Saturday, and on their arrival the officers saw a taxi with occupants fleeing the scene.

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.

Six suspects were arrested on various charges.

The MMC for Safety and Security JP Smith says at least 110 criminal cases have been registered with police 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.

Smith says SANTACO issued a list of demands yesterday, but he has reiterated that the impounding of vehicles is done under national legislation, not a City by-law.

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.

Meanwhile, SANTACO has ”unequivocally” condemned all acts of violence, public disturbance, and intimidation.

In a statement released on Saturday the leadership of SANTACO distanced itself from the violence, instead putting the blame on ”opportunistic criminal elements.”

SANTACO neither promotes nor condones any form of violence, public disturbance or acts of intimidation or harassment. We call on all our members to remain disciplined and abide by the call for a peaceful stay-away. SANTACO calls upon the South African Police Service and other Law Enforcement Agencies to bring these criminal elements to justice.

Negotiations to being an end to the strike will continue on Sunday.

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