Seven people were arrested on Friday as violent taxi protests saw a police van, bus private and vehicles stoned and set alight in Nyanga, Cape Town.
The incident occurred as taxi operators occurred in Nyanga, Crossroads, and Samora Machel protested, claiming that the city of Cape Town failed to issue permits for their vehicles.
Cape Town traffic officials closed several roads on Friday morning. Kevin Jacobs, the spokesperson said: Our traffic officers have effected road closures at Klipfontein Road and Borcherds Quarry, Duinefontein and Govan Mbeki and New Eisleben roads. Incidents of public violence have also been reported at the intersections of Sheffield and New Eisleben.”
Captain Frederick van Wyk, the police spokesperson said police officers were deployed in the area after protests broke out on Friday morning.
Van Wyk said: “Tyres were set alight on roads into the area, and a security hut at the Nyanga clinic was set alight. The clinic was not damaged Protesters also set a delivery vehicle alight on Luzuko Road. Four police vehicles were damaged during the protest, with three vehicles stoned and a fourth one set alight.”
Last week’s clampdown on amaphela taxis turned violent with Golden Arrow buses and other vehicles coming under attack. One taxi driver was injured in the incident.
JP Smith, the city security boss said 37 taxis were impounded by noon on Thursday.
“We will not stop until we have restored complete order and until private citizens and other public transport operators can operate safely and this will be the start. For too long we have allowed mafia-style syndicates to control the public transport sector, taking advantage of the loopholes left by ineffective national legislation.”
Smith warned that for every vehicle torched by the angry taxi operators, they can expect 50 of their vehicles to be impounded.
Source: News24, Eyewitness News, image from Twitter: IOL