High school learners told Radio 786 that they will not be attending class tomorrow.

They usually arrive home at about four o’clock, but they now expect to get home by eight.

The learners only found out about the strike today.  

The South African National Taxi Council in the Western Cape insists that their members will not be participating in any demonstrations.

However, it remains to be seen whether those vandalizing and targeting other vehicles belong to the taxi industry.  

Meanwhile, in other parts of the City, desperate commuters are standing along the roadways, hopeful that a bus will have enough space to take them home.  

Now Premier Alan Winde has urged taxi leaders associated with Santaco, and those who are behind the destructive province-wide strike to return to the negotiating table.

He says that the province recognizes the important role that the mini-bus taxi sector plays in the public transport industry and economy.

He says that the violence that has accompanied the stay away is not the answer to resolving the grievances of operators and drivers.

The province is also considering taking legal action against the minibus taxi associations to interdict the violence associated with the strike. 

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has condemned the violence and lawlessness being perpetrated across the Mother City due taxi council Santaco’s decision to halt their services with immediate effect.

In a meeting today, Santaco announced its unhappiness with the City of Cape Town’s implementation of by-laws and feels as if they’re being deliberately targeted.

Hill-Lewis says while the city respects the right to protest, it has zero tolerance for violence and intimidation.

The mayor adds that it’s simply not true that it’s targeting minibus-taxi operators.

Instead, it’s finding that some taxis are un-roadworthy and have a record of dangerous traffic violations.

In some cases, drivers do not have a driver’s license and in others cases their vehicle is linked to criminal investigations.  

Now, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith has strongly condemned the sporadic acts of violence in various areas due to the taxi strike.

Speaking to Radio 786, Smith revealed that in the span of a few hours after the announcement of the taxi service downing their tools, four buses, three trucks, three bakkies and an ambulance were torched.

A beverage truck and a local school have also looted.

He adds that this is not reflective of an organisation that is trying to fight its cause on principle, and it should be placed squarely on the doors of the Santaco leadership.