supplied: City of Cape Town
An alleged protester was killed and four others injured after a motorist whom they allegedly pelted with stones, fired his gun.
Police Spokesperson Novela Potelwa says the incident happened at 4. 35 am on Monday as the taxi strike in the Western Cape entered into another week.
This after negotiations between the Provincial government and the taxi association SANTACO were suspended.
According to MEC for Mobility in the Western Cape, Ricardo Mackenzie, taxi drivers are now demanding priority in yellow and red lanes during rush hour, as well as being allowed to cause traffic obstructions.
He says they have also asked for the suspension of the conditions pertaining to Operating Licenses.
Mackenzie said they did not have the authority to make changes to the National Land Transport Act and that the latest demands were not legally implementable.
Cape Town's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith says four Golden Arrow buses, four private vehicles and two trucks were torched on Monday while a city vehicle was hijacked.
He says at 5.30 am approximately 30 taxis blocked the N2 inbound at Borchers Quarry which led to arrests as officials came under fire.
Eight taxi drivers and 27 protesters were arrested.
Meanwhile, commuters in the Garden Route have been left stranded with thousands of people including school pupils looking for alternative transport.
No incidents of violence have been reported in the Garden Route.
The George Municipal Joint Operations Centre (JOC), supported by municipal law enforcement and traffic officials, together with police are monitoring the situation.
The strike is expected to continue until Wednesday.
