Gauteng MEC for Safety Nkosi-Malobane condemns SANTACO taxi strike
"I am deeply disappointed in the manner in which SANTACO members conducted themselves."
The Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, has announced her condemnation of the violent SANTACO Johannesburg taxi strike, which occurred on June 15.
The taxi strike, orchestrated by Chief Operations Officer of Taxi Choice, Thulani Qwabe left hundreds of public transport commuters stranded on Thursday morning.
Many students were unable to attend school because they struggled to find ways to reach their exam venues, while others were unable to get to work.
The Gauteng Education Department later assured parents that pupils would be able to write their examination papers at a later opportunity, if they were unable to attend school because of the strike.
Midrand was the worst affected, with taxi drivers unlawfully blockading the N1 at Allandale Road, going southbound as they made their way towards the South African Taxi Finance offices to protest the government’s failure in subsidising the South African taxi industry. The taxis caused a major traffic gridlock, especially along key routes, as they proceeded to drive extremely slowly.
Taxi drivers were accused of violence against and intimidating motorists and bus drivers during the strike with reports that some taxi drivers had taken the keys of bus drivers to prevent them from operating and crushing the cellphone of an onlooker who attempted to video and photograph the strike.
“I am deeply disappointed in the manner in which SANTACO members conducted themselves during protest action this morning.
“It is a constitutional right for community members to engage in a peaceful protest but violent action and intimidation of non-striking members of communities cannot be condoned. The strike has a negative impact on our economy since Gauteng is the economic hub of our country,” said MEC Nkosi-Malobane.
The taxi strike later moved to Kempton Park.
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