The high-ways and by-ways in the greater Cape Town Metro were significantly quieter on Tuesday morning, after the City of Cape Town obtained an urgent interdict late last night against SANTACO’s taxi strike violence.

Businesses have reported significant absenteeism of staff, with at least one sector comparing it to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The City joined as an applicant in proceedings on Monday night, with Golden Arrow seeking a contempt order against SANTACO for strike-related violence perpetrated.

The order states that no person, vehicle, taxi or driver may unreasonably obstruct, interfere or block any vehicle on any public road, throughout the City Metropole, in such manner as to harm passengers, or delay or impede the flow of traffic. The interdict further prohibits any person from interfering with the operations of any transportation depot.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis welcomed the court order.

‘The City will uphold the rule of law without fear or favour as was demonstrated earlier today with the clearing and impounding of vehicles blockading major routes. This interdict further empowers our work with SAPS to keep our roads open, protect busses and commuters, and arrest the perpetrators of disorder.

‘We reiterate that until the violence stops, there can be no further discussions. We call on SANTACO to stop the violence immediately and return peacefully to the negotiation table,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.

Since the start of the strike last Thursday afternoon, 10 Golden Arrow buses were torched, leaving the company with no option but to reduce its service.

Meanwhile, the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry says businesses have reported widespread losses due to staff absenteeism.

The Chamber says one sector even drew a parallel between the impact of the strike on business operations and the impact of Covid-19.

Some of the impacts to date include:

• Retail Motor Industry Sector: 50% workforce impact, which has implemented a “no work, no pay” policy. Turnover has so far been significantly affected, with fewer customer visits.
• Business Process Outsourcing Sector: Significant impacts, with fears that negative publicity might result in operations shifting away from Cape Town.
• South African Oil & Gas Alliance: Partial workforce impacts in strike-affected areas
• The Independent Community Pharmacy Association: Staff using public transport to work from home.
• Fish SA: 80% of the workforce affected. A substantial number of workers were either absent from work or arrived late. Factory operations were notably affected, leading to underutilised production lines.
• Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa: Anticipated sharp decline in bookings in local establishments in light of the UK issuing a safety warning for its citizens in Cape Town. This concern is amplified by the fact that the sector is currently in its peak booking season, which aligns with the upcoming summer period.
• Wholesale and Retail Sector (Franchise Association of South Africa): Still compiling statistics.
• The Furniture Manufacturing Sector: Absenteeism of around 60% in some of the larger establishments.
• The South African Association of Freight Forwarders: Severe impact. The airport and its precincts were blocked off, preventing airfreight from getting through.
• Additionally, the Cape Town Port operated with only 60% of its staff, significantly hampering ship movements, container discharge, and collection/deliveries. As a result, goods are not reaching production lines, and finished products are not reaching consumers.
• Export activities are also affected due to concerns for staff safety, further impacting the movement of goods and products.
• National Clothing Retail Federation:30% non-attendance, 30 — 40% latecomers, and a huge drop in the consumers through the stores. Numbers are down and will affect turnover.
• Productions Technologies Association of South Africa (PTSA): Training centre affected and forced to find overnight accommodation for affected students. Board meeting was cancelled due to airport security fears.

The Cape Town CBD was eerily quiet on Tuesday morning with many shops closed.

The MMC for Economic Growth James Vos says it is very sad that the taxi strike is having a negative impact on the economy and preventing people from getting to work.

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