Police Minister Bheki Cele had some words for City of Cape Town MEC for public safety and security, JP Smith, for his approach to the taxi industry during the ongoing strike.
Watch: Bheki Cele blasts JP Smith: ‘He needs psychological help’
Speaking at the scene of a blitz operation in Riverlea, where several zama-zamas were arrested in response to a recent spate of violence in the Johannesburg community, Minister Cele expressed his disapproval of JP Smith’s confrontational attitude towards the taxi industry.
He accused Smith of making false claims about his involvement in encouraging the strike and suggested that the MEC needs psychological help.
“I read somewhere that JP Smith said Cele encouraged the taxi industry strike. I don’t want to talk with JP Smith. I think the guy needs serious psychological help,” Cele said.
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Cape Town taxi strike: Political parties blast City of Cape Town for fanning flames
Earlier in the week, taxi associations disengaged from discussions with the City of Cape Town, citing frustrations with the newly implemented traffic by-laws.
They claimed that these by-laws were unfairly targeted towards increasing taxi impounds over trivial offences.
Violence Erupts During Impounding Operation
The situation escalated when law enforcement authorities conducted an impounding operation, leading to taxi operators blocking streets and preventing the movement of vehicles, including MyCiTi buses.
Videos of the incident showed law enforcement officers using force against drivers, leading to widespread condemnation.
Political Parties’ Reactions
Various political parties, including the ANC and the EFF, condemned the City’s heavy-handed approach and urged for constructive dialogue to resolve the situation.
The ANC called for an investigation into the City’s actions, while the EFF opposed the harsh by-laws that empowered officers to impound taxis instead of issuing fines.
“The EFF stands strongly opposed to the harsh and newly enacted by-laws that empower officers to impound a taxi instead of issuing a fine,” the Red Berets wrote in a statement.
SAPS Identifies Hotspot Areas
In response to the violence, SAPS has released a list of hotspot areas affected by the strike-related violence.
These areas include:
- Atlantis
- Cape Town City Centre
- Harare
- Hout Bay
- Khayelitsha
- Langa
- Milnerton
- Peninsula
- Wynberg, and other regions.
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