By: Natasha Archary

The City of Cape Town has welcomed the Western Cape High Court granting an interdict against the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO)
This after the taxi stayaway in the city took a violent turn, costing the lives of two people, with 3 others injured, due to lawlessness, looting and other acts of criminality.
Not only have roads been obstructed, but a number of vehicles have been torched since last week Monday, 31 July, after thousands of taxis were impounded due to traffic violations.
While the City of Cape Town stresses, Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis stresses that by-laws weren’t the cause of SANTACO staging a stayaway, the City says the interdict is necessary to prevent any further destruction of property, and infrastructure.
“The City will uphold the rule of law without fear of favour, as was demonstrated earlier on Monday, with the clearing and impounding of vehicles blockading major routes.
This interdict further empowers our work with SAPS to keep our roads open, protect buses and commuters, and arrest the perpetrators of disorder.
We reiterate, that until the violence stops, there can be no further discussions. We call on SANTACO to stop the violence immediately.”
The interdict prohibits the obstruction of any public road, interference or blocking of vehicles in commute, and violence.
Seventy-two people have so far been arrested for public violence since the strike was actioned, leaving thousands of commuters stranded.
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