On Friday 04 August 2023, the Department of Employment and Labour in the Western Cape alerted the public that it will now function with a minimal number of staff members, as a result of the ongoing taxi strike in the Western Cape.
“It should be noted that as a result of the strike commuters are being left stranded across the Cape Metropole after taxi operators went on strike yesterday. As a result, all labour Centre’s of the Department are operating with a minimal number of staff. This has a serious impact on the rendering of services by the Department.”, says the Western Cape Department of Employment & Labour in a press statement. 
According to the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), the currently ongoing taxi strike in the Western Cape is mainly caused by an ‘unfair’ treatment of the taxi industry by the City of Cape Town. Secondly, the City of Cape Town is at loggerheads with the Western Cape Taxi industry in terms its bylaws. Lastly, SANTACO further alleged that traffic officers in Cape Town impound minibus taxis over minor traffic offences.
This particular strike has left the commuters in Cape Town to be stranded without transportation to their destinations. The strike has resulted in a bus driver being shot, four buses and other vehicles were also attacked with patrol bombs and stones.
At the moment the Department of Transport urged all parties involved in this situation, to start peaceful and constructive talks on how to resolve this situation, with the absence of violence.
In the meantime, the Department of Employment and Labour requested the public to remain patient, as it will attempt to do everything in its power to provide its services despite this situation. The Department also called on the public to make use of the UIF online tools to gain access to the Department’s services from remotely.
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Written by: Prince Neo Mokwena
Images: IOL/SABC NEW/Department of Employment & Labour
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