Taxi chaos | Cabinet condemns violent taxi strike

CAPE TOWN - The taxi strike in the Western Cape continues for now, Santaco is consulting with its members after a meeting with provincial government wrapped up on Thursday afternoon.

READ: Western Cape taxi strike talks continue

Cabinet in the meantime, is calling on stakeholders involved in the taxi strike to iron out any outstanding issues and bring an end to the violence.
Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, says government wants all taxi operating conditions that contradict the country's laws removed.

It's day eight of the strike that's caused large scale interruptions to education, healthcare and other sectors in the Western Cape.
She said, "Cabinet was brief about the ongoing impasse between SANTACO Western Cape and the City of Cape Town, which has escalated into a violent strike as a results on impounding of taxis by the City of Cape Town."

"Cabinet condemns violence and anarchy in Cape Town and has called on Santaco to make sure that its protest action is peaceful and does not interfere with the rights of others." "Yesterday the President has called on all the parties to go back to the negotiating table. We are pleased to announce that in the 24 hours there were no violence incidents reported, however, Cabinet directed that the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies bring the violence under control to allow residence safe movement to school and work and continue with their normal daily activities."

"The Cabinet was also briefed about the City of Cape Town imposing conditions which are at variants with both the nation road traffic act and national land transport act which regulates traffic offenses and applicable penalties, including the impounding of vehicles."

"And Cabinet has directed Minister if Transport, Sindi Chikunga, to ensure that any taxi operating condition that contradicts the laws of the public are removed."