Busses were set alight and cars were stoned this morning as taxi drivers in Cape Town embarked on a massive strike in the city.Â
Golden Arrow buses are burned down in Delft South, also anyone with a Car is NOT allowed to transport people #TaxiStrike pic.twitter.com/DilwK5JgTF
— Z U K X (@iAM_Zuxx) September 18, 2017
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).
Buses being stoned. Passengers jumping out. #TaxiStrike pic.twitter.com/kSuunel7pF
— Athi Mtongana (@Artii_M) September 18, 2017
Commuters have been sharing images and video of the chaos and violence, under the #taxistrike hashtag.
Chaos, private vehicles under attack. #TaxiStrike pic.twitter.com/J3edDUWIW9
— Quinton Mtyala (@mtyala) September 18, 2017
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.
I responded, I dare them to dismiss her! #taxistrike #BlackLivesMatter #Kalushi pic.twitter.com/BJkzQrlPN3
— Issa #MadBlackWoman (@fleekiswa) September 18, 2017
Social media users expressed their frustration at the South African Police Services.
Where is @MbalulaFikile when #TaxiStrike turns violent? They were chasing FMF with bullets and arresting but taxi drivers are applauded!
— Murendeni Tshitanda (@NkwamehAU) September 18, 2017
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.
What makes protesters think that burning cars & looting shops drives their messages home. It only undermines their cause. #TaxiStrike pic.twitter.com/RkmhuXnxXl
— Pootie Tang (@Mdudemeister) September 18, 2017
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.
#TaxiStrike: Thousands of taxi commuters will be left stranded as taxi associations across Cape Town down tools. https://t.co/P4B7z4e2Ig pic.twitter.com/Mb1eYniDrp
— IOL News (@IOL) September 18, 2017
[GRAPHIC] Pictures out of Nyanga & Delft where Golden Arrow buses have been stoned & set alight (Cred: @RobinAdamsZA) #TaxiStrike #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/Y2m62Rj0cE
— Sphiwe Hobasi (@MrCow_man) September 18, 2017
The strike in the Cape has been suspended, after a meeting with representatives from the taxi industry and transport department.