Santaco Taxi Strike: Violent Stayaway Keeps Over 400 000 Children and More Than 17 000 Workers Out of School

• The ongoing taxi strike in Cape Town is affecting more than just the economy as pupils are beginning to feel the brunt of the protest
• The Western Cape Education Department revealed over 450 000 children and 17 000 staff members were prevented from attending school on Monday, 7 August
• Violence in Philippi came to a head, with learners and teachers reportedly being chased and harassed by balaclava-clad taxi drivers

CAPE TOWN - The consequences of the ongoing taxi strike in the City of Cape Town are far-reaching, evidenced by how many children have been affected.

Thousands of children and workers kept away from school

On Monday, 7 August, the city was gripped by violence as protesters attacked public and private cars and harassed motorists and pupils, leaving scores of learners unable to attend school.

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Taxi Violence: 2 people killed in peak traffic as Cape Town taxi stay away enter 5th day

The Western Cape Department of Education reported that the strike prevented 456 020 learners and 17 449 staff members from getting to school.

Western Cape Education Minister David Maynier touched on the effects of the strike, saying:

“It's a devastating loss of teaching and learning time that our children simply cannot afford.”

Suspected taxi drivers harass pupils and teachers

GroundUp reported about a violent incident in Samora Machel, Philippi, where teachers and pupils were forced to flee when taxi drivers began chasing them.

The learners and staff from Weltevreden Primary School were waiting for the school’s gates to open when the taxi drivers started pelting them with stones and using their vehicles to chase people. The drivers were allegedly wearing balaclavas during the incident.

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City of Chaos: Suspected taxi operators attack driver and passengers as Santaco’s stike continues

South Africans condemn the effect of the taxi strike on children

Below are some comments:

@Michellebergh criticised:

"This is how taxi operators serve their customers..."

Malongwa J Jacob added:

"Chronicles of taxis. Malema is in hiding."

@AdiSnyman said:

"Ah, taxi drivers are allowed to do as they please, as usual."

@nesibindi123 commented:

"Charming, aren't they? The disingenuous Santaco dares to tell us they are not involved in this."

@lootgous complained:

"People who strike are preventing others to reach their full potential! They are robbing #SouthAfrica."

@leona_kleynhans comdemmed:

"Neither Santaco nor ANC could care less!"

Taxi strike: Suspected taxi operators attack vehicle in startling video as Santaco’s stay-away continues

Earlier, Briefly News reported that chaos erupted once again in parts of the city of Cape Town as SA National Taxi Council’s disruptive taxi stay-away continues.

A disturbing video depicting the extent of the violence related to the strike is making the rounds on social media.

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Taxi strike: Golden Arrows wins interdict to stop violent attacks after 6 busses torched during stayaway

The video was posted on Twitter by crime activist Ian Cameron and shows scores of suspected taxi operators running towards a vehicle and violently attacking it.

Source: Briefly News