Taxi strikers strike out in Knysna

Update

KNYSNA NEWS - The Western Cape taxi strike has had a devastating impact on service delivery in Knysna.

From passengers being pulled from vehicles and assault of pedestrians, to shots fired at a vehicle transporting employees and the disruption of municipal services, the strike and subsequent unrest have left a dark stain on our town.

Starting in Cape Town last week, the province-wide taxi strike by the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has held the Western Cape public hostage for the past week.

The severity of strike-related actions has varied across the province, with the worst cases in Cape Town.

However, taxi-related incidents in Knysna are definitely staking a claim on the severity barometer.

What started out as a strike and a "laying down of tools" last week, has devolved into what can best be described as madness all around town.

On Friday 4 August reports were received that the vehicle of a private company transporting employees had been shot at.

Throughout the weekend and into this week there were reports of passengers pulled from private cars and of people walking to work - not even using any means of transport - being assaulted.

Thousands of residents of Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Sedgefield have for the past week been forced to either walk to work or not go to work at all, due to the ongoing South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) strike. Some residents have to walk over 10km just to get to work, as there were instances when those who got lifts from private motorists were accosted and pulled from vehicles. Pictured are Knysna residents making their way up the N2 towards Hornlee/Nekkies at the end of the workday on Monday 7 August. Photo: Blake Linder

Rioting and unrest

Riots also returned to Nekkies, with the N2 closed on numerous occasions. To add to this, portions of White Location, Concordia and even George Rex Drive were blocked with burning tyres.

There is a belief that the additional closures were simply distractions to divert police and fire services away from the rioting at Nekkies. To the question whether or not these riots are related to the taxi strike, the Knysna Taxi Association did not respond at the time of going to print.

These lawless acts have required a strong police presence in Knysna, and residents can be forgiven for at times thinking they may be in a war zone with the sound of flash grenades and rubber bullets reverberating through town. This was coupled with the constant sound of blaring sirens as emergency vehicles responded to the unrest.

Police involvement

"The police and other law enforcement agencies are out in full force in the region to ensure that the threatening taxi strike is effectively policed, and to maintain law and order unconditionally," said Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies.

"Several incidents of public violence and malicious damage to property have been recorded where the N2 highway were blockaded as well as vehicles pelted with objects at the entrances to Knysna and Kwanokuthula.

"All the incidents reported are under police investigation in a bid to bring the perpetrators to book."

Spies urged the public to do their bit to bring perpetrators to justice. "Any person who has fallen victim to a crime, assault or intimidation associated with the strike action is encouraged to report the incident to police immediately so that the circumstances can be investigated. The necessary action would follow during or upon the conclusion of the police investigation," he said.

"Our forces are deployed in Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. They will remain on the ground to bring an end to acts of violence. The police will not tolerate acts of criminality and in the event of crime, police members deployed will not hesitate to take decisive action."

A non-permitted protest

When asked whether or not the taxi association had applied for a permit to protest, Municipal Manager Ombali Sebola clarified that no application was received. Sebola also said that due to the nature of the protest, their ability to deliver services has been compromised.

"The ongoing taxi strike, which started on Friday last week, continues to impact our essential services, including water and sanitation, roads, electrical services, and refuse collection units.

"The strike has affected the transportation and availability of our workforce, particularly those responsible for maintaining water and sanitation systems, road repairs, electrical services and refuse collection. Despite these challenges, our dedicated teams are working tirelessly to address all issues promptly. Our law enforcement and traffic officials are providing support to the national security cluster in executing the functionality of the police."

Mediation with taxis

On Tuesday evening, Knysna Municipality had a meeting with the Knysna Taxi Association, and reached an agreement stipulating that children would be allowed to travel to school, the sick may seek help at healthcare institutions and that employees would be allowed to go to work.

Funerals would also be allowed to go ahead. But, the taxi association had one condition: no private vehicles must be used as taxis.

In a video message to the people of Knysna, Mayor Aubrey Tsengwa appealed to the public not to use their cars as taxis as drivers need public transport licences to ferry people around. However, the mayor did not stipulate how to differentiate between drivers giving friends a lift and drivers actually charging people a "taxi fare".

Knysna Mayor Aubrey Tsengwa

Viral infamy

The mayor's video appeal posted on the municipality's Facebook page has caused outrage with members of the public accusing the mayor and the municipality of enabling intimidation by the taxi fraternity.

The video has been viewed more than 3 500 times and has received roughly 200 comments, mostly in opposition to what was said by Tsengwa and Deputy Mayor Alberto Marbi.

Knysna Councillor Elmarie Maxim was one of the social media users to comment. "Lawmakers aiding service providers in holding people ransom? It's either you use my services only or else! Oh my bad, I'm withholding my service for the 'next few days' while instigating and creating violence towards other road users and threatening my very customers?!," Maxim said.

A request for comment was sent to the municipality, but due to the Women's Day public holiday on 9 August, the municipal communications team could not guarantee feedback from the mayor before the newspaper went to press.

The taxi strike has caused several lengthy delays in traffic too. Photos: Blake Linder