Important clarification on Terms of Agreement ending minibus-taxi strike

Joint Statement by The City of Cape Town and Western Cape Government

It is critically important that there is no ambiguity or confusion regarding the exact terms of the agreement that led to the resolution of the recent eight-day minibus-taxi strike. This agreement, reached between the City of Cape Town, the Western Cape Government, and the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), outlines commitments by all stakeholders to review existing processes and ultimately prevent any repeat of the destructive strike.

'Misrepresentations of these terms creates a very serious risk of confrontation between enforcement staff and taxi drivers. We call on SANTACO to correctly reflect the precise terms of what was agreed. Our shared goal is to safeguard the well-being of our residents and enable safe travel, and this is explicitly set out in the terms of the agreement. For the safety of commuters, taxi drivers, and law enforcement officials, we call on the SANTACO leadership to ensure that their operators are correctly informed of these terms,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

The agreement encompasses the following key points:

• For the next 14 days, starting today, Monday, 14 August 2023, the Minibus-Taxi Task Team (comprising representatives of SANTACO, the City of Cape Town, and the Western Cape Government) will jointly seek agreement on what are to be regarded as major impoundable offences and minor infringements, and the appropriate penalty for the latter. This will inform a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to guide enforcement personnel's actions as per the National Land Transport Act (NLTA) and Operating Licence Conditions. The City's unwavering commitment to commuter safety means that all traffic offences impacting on safety should remain classified as major offences.
• Impoundments will continue for vehicles operating without a valid operating licence, operating outside permitted routes, the absence of a driver's licence, operating without a Public Drivers Permit, or inadequate roadworthiness.
• SANTACO has been invited by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis to submit specific cases of vehicles they claim to have been impounded for minor offences. If indeed these cases exist, the City will make representations to the Public Prosecutor for the release of these impounded vehicles only. It is important to emphasise that the City must be in agreement with SANTACO regarding what offences are regarded as minor.
• Strike Protocols and Resolution: SANTACO commits to provide a minimum of 36 hours' notice before initiating future strike actions, ensuring no repeat of the terrible scenes of last Thursday evening, with stranded commuters walking home. Additionally, a dispute escalation and resolution clause will be established, allowing matters to be elevated to the Premier and Mayor before strike action.

It must be reiterated that this entire agreement hinges on the prevention of taxi-related violence. Any revival of such violence will nullify the agreement.

'I urge SANTACO-WC to communicate clearly with their members, instead of leaders making incorrect public statements. This misinformation is creating unnecessary panic and safety risks for commuters, who have a right to safe and dignified transport. All of us must put commuters first, as we move forward from the strike. We are tackling the valid issues raised by the industry with urgency, so that people can get to work and school safely. The Western Cape Government has committed to working alongside SANTACO-WC, City of Cape Town and National Government to address the immediate issues within the 14-day period,' said Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Ricardo Mackenzie.

'We are glad that National Government is part of the process so that previous commitments on formalisation and subsidisation of the minibus-taxi industry can be expedited,' said Mackenzie.

• Originally published on the City of Cape Town's website.