FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Date: 10 August 2023<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Time: 19h30<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n From the desk of Mandla Hermanus,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Chairperson of SANTACO Western Cape<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Stay Away Officially Called Off with Immediate Effect<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It is with profound relief that we announce the immediate cessation of the Stay Away. This comes after painstaking deliberations and immense pressure on all parties involved.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n First and foremost, on behalf of SANTACO Western Cape, I convey our sincerest condolences to the families of those who tragically lost their lives during the Stay Away. We stand with you in this time of grief and offer our profound sympathies. We also extend our heartfelt sympathy to everyone who was negatively affected by the events of the past days.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It deeply saddens and disappoints us that it took this long for all parties to find a resolution. The wellbeing of our community and the public at large has always been our top priority, and it pains us to witness the unnecessary pain and suffering that transpired.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I am pleased to announce that as part of the resolution reached between the Taxi Industry and the Government, there is an agreement that the next 14 days will be utilised to work towards the release of the vehicles that were wrongly impounded. This is a significant step towards restoring trust and operations to their regular state.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In conclusion, a heartfelt thank you goes out to each and every one of you for your patience, resilience, and unwavering resolve during these challenging times. We pledge our ongoing commitment to serve our communities with integrity, ensuring such incidents do not repeat in the future.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n For further media enquiries, please contact:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Issued by the South African National Taxi Council, Western Cape.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Strike is over. All return to normal tomorrow\u2019 <\/strong>\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis confirmed via video that the Strike is officially over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The City of Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis subsequently posted the following media statement : <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25ab\ufe0fFrom the desk of\u25ab\ufe0f City welcomes Santaco\u2019s withdrawal of strike action<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The City of Cape Town is pleased that the destructive taxi strike has come to an end. We appreciate the constructive approach taken by minibus taxi association Santaco today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt bears noting that Santaco today accepted the same proposal that the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government originally put on the table last Friday,\u201d said Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe tragic implication is that all of the violence, the deplorable loss of life, and the damage to property and to our local economy \u2013 was for naught. Last Friday, everything agreed to today was on the table, when the strike was less than 24 hours old, and could have been stopped then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The details of the agreement are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Importantly, if Santaco believes that any of their taxis have been impounded for these minor offences, then they can produce the relevant impoundment notices and the City will then make representations to the Public Prosecutor to support the release of these vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have also made two important improvements for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The entire agreement is subject to there being no future resumption of taxi-related violence. Any resumption of taxi violence will nullify the agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We hope this sends a clear message to South Africa: violence will get us nowhere. Laws can only be changed through democratic processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhile I deplore the impact of this entirely unnecessary strike, Cape Town has set an important precedent for South Africa\u2019s future. By steadfastly refusing to capitulate before violence and anarchy, Cape Town has not conceded an inch on our commitment to the rule of law,\u201d says Hill-Lewis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe message is clear: in Cape Town, the laws of this country apply equally to everyone and violence will not extract concessions from this government.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy thoughts are with our communities who bore the brunt of this and I want to assure them that we will continue to fight for the safety of them and their loved ones as they travel around our city.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thank YOU\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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