#TaxiStrike in Cape Town affects thousands of commuters

Busses were set alight and cars were stoned this morning as taxi drivers in Cape Town embarked on a massive strike in the city. 

According to News24, the strike, organised by the Democratic Taxi Worker’s Union of South Africa, is expected to last all week. Taxi drivers say they’re unhappy with the impounding of taxis for contravening their driving permits and not carrying valid driver’s licenses and also called for Western Cape MEC for transport, Donald Grant to intervene in the leadership of the Congress of Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta).

Commuters have been sharing images and video of the chaos and violence, under the #taxistrike hashtag.

Many commuters said they struggled to make their way to work, and many schools were closed due to the strike and had to reschedule exams and assignments.

Social media users expressed their frustration at the South African Police Services.

Others lamented over why taxi drivers had allegedly resorted to arson and looting. Two busses were torched and at least 52 people were injured during the strike.

Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk told The Daily Vox that blocked roads from the strike, like the N1 on Joostenbergvlakte and Bloekombos, are now being cleared and opened.

The strike in the Cape has been suspended, after a meeting with representatives from the taxi industry and transport department.

Featured image via Wikimedia Commons