Bus Driver Shot, Buses Set Alight As Cape Town Taxi Strike Enters Day Two

In the hours following a “crippling” taxi strike, a Golden Arrow bus driver was shot and injured in Khayelitsha on Friday morning.

Hundreds of Cape Town residents were stuck on Thursday evening when taxi firms ceased services and blocked main routes. Buses and trucks transporting desperate communists were stoned, as was an ambulance transporting the injured. Train services have been cancelled.

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Mayco Member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, provided an update on Friday morning, confirming that a bus driver had been shot in Khayelitsha, halting services in the area.

“MyCiti bus services remain operational with the exception of the N2 Express Khayelitsha route, which has been temporarily suspended due to violence in the area.

“Golden Arrow buses remain operational at 90% capacity, however, they are only servicing the periphery of Nyanga and Khayelitsha. This is due to violence, including one of their drivers being shot and injured this morning in Khayelitsha.”

He stated that traffic was flowing on other main city routes. “The city again calls for calm and reminds taxi organisations our door remains open for engagement.

The taxi drivers’ protest was in response to the city impounding vehicles and claimed assaults by law enforcement authorities. This also contributed to the withdrawal of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) from a Minibus Taxi Task Team.

Sindisiwe Chikunga, the Transport Minister, urged all parties involved to work together to find a solution.

“It is crucial that all parties involved in this matter prioritise peaceful and constructive dialogue to resolve the issues at hand. The Minister urges all stakeholders to work together and find common ground, without resorting to violence.’

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Santaco responded by urging the minister to take action.

“We kindly urge that your ministry joins us on the ground and plays a central role in resolving the impasse in the Western Cape. Statements of condemnation can only do so much. Our commuters don’t deserve these inconveniences.”