Taxi bosses have come out guns blazing, accusing the City of Cape Town of making unfounded and baseless statements following the attack of two police officers over the weekend.
In a statement released on Saturday 3 September, JP Smith, City’s Mayco member for safety and security, blamed those in the transport sector for the attack on the two officers.
The off-duty officers were attacked on Friday 2 September at the corner of Japhta Masemola and Swartklip roads.
They were taken to hospital for treatment.
In a statement that was released by the City’s Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith on Saturday 3 September stated that the City is aware of allegations that those linked to the violence in the transport sector, have been collecting funds so as to contract the services of alleged “hitmen” to target uniformed officers and enforcement services.
He said it is with regret that such an apparent assassination was targeted against two Saps officials at the intersections of Govan Mbeki and Swartklip roads on Friday 2 September.
“With immediate effect the City of Cape Town is offering a reward up to R100 000 for any information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of any person involved in the attack against any police member or any City of Cape Town officer or employee, any City of Cape Town or related infrastructure, as linked to the unrest and violence in the Nyanga public transport sector,” he said.
However, the two local taxi associations have distanced themselves from the allegations.
Andile Khanyi, spokesperson for the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) stated that they don’t have a problem in Khayelitsha and all modes of transport are operating as usual. He stated that the City is confused to think that something that is happening in Nyanga is also happening in Khayelitsha.
“There was no strike in Khayelitsha. Everything is going well here. All the Golden Arrow buses, MyCiTi and taxis are all operating well. There is no way we (Codeta) can be linked with something that is happening in Nyanga of which we are not sure even if the taxi operators who are behind the strike,” he said.
Khanyi also emphasised that they are fully supporting the marathon that is going to be in Khayelitsha on Saturday.
“There were rumours that taxi operators will distract the marathon on Saturday and attack the officers. We met with the event organisers and we told them that we support them and nothing is going to happen,” he explained.
Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi stated that they have nothing to do with the strike.
“All these incidents of torching buses and vehicles are happening in the townships not at the taxi rank. Even as taxi operators there are areas that we don’t go in because of crime. There is no way that we can plan to kill officers,” he said. He stated that whatever Smith said or thought had nothing to do with them.
Golden Arrow Bus Service (Gabs) spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer said over the last two weeks the company lost five buses and each bus cost R2,7 million.
“We want to apologise sincerely to our passengers. We believe there is space for all forms of transport to operate within Nyanga and we will continue to work with the authorities to try to ensure that we are able to operate without hindrance or threat,” said Beyer.
Smith said any information will be treated confidentially and can be made by calling the Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021-480 7700.
