The DA in the Western Cape says that they are exceptionally concerned for the safety of commuters, particularly in light of the ongoing taxi violence in and around Cape Town. This desperate situation is leaving commuters stranded, unable to get to work and return home safely.
Ricardo Mackenzie, the DA Western Cape Committee Spokesperson on Transport and Public Works said today that during a pandemic worsened by a crippling national economic situation, this issue deserves our full attention and all efforts to achieve peaceful conditions for commuters.
MPP Mackenzie says: “We are taking this matter extremely seriously, and together with the Chairperson for Community Safety, Reagen Allen, I have called for an urgent joint meeting of our two committees.
We have requested briefings from the provincial departments of Transport & Public Works and Community Safety, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), and the SAPS on their efforts to achieve safe conditions moving forward. We have also invited the City of Cape Town’s Safety & Security MMC, Alderman JP Smith, to provide us with a view of the City’s role in this urgent matter.
At this stage, we applaud the efforts of the Premier, MECs Daylin Mitchell and Albert Fritz, as well as Minister Fikile Mbalula, to bring leaders of the taxi industry to the negotiating table.
However, we will not tolerate the thuggery and outright abuse of Western Cape residents at the hands of criminal elements in that industry. It has to stop, and government must use every measure – including the SANDF – to end this. Our primary concern is for the people of this province. They deserve to travel without fear, earn a living without risking their lives, and keep their families safe without any concern.”
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