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Minibus taxi strike ends in South Africa after deadly protests – JURIST

Five people were killed amidst a protest and labor strike by taxi drivers in South Africa over new vehicle impoundment regulations. The strike officially ended Thursday.The protests and strike arose over a new municipal traffic law in Cape Town that stipulates that vehicles will be impounded for violations including unlicensed vehicles and drivers, passengers not wearing seatbelts or vehicles not being deemed roadworthy. In response to the new traffic law, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) announced a one-week strike starting on August 3, and the strike turned into violent protests in some areas. SANTACO has claimed that the law unfairly targets taxi drivers and multiple vehicles have been wrongly impounded. However, the city of Cape Town has claimed the taxis are actually impounded under the National Land Transport Act and not the new municipal law.The strike by minibus taxi drivers turned into violent protests in several parts of Cape Town. The protesters threw stones at police and passing vehicles, obstructed the entrance to the Cape Town taxi rank and set fire to buildings. SANTACO distanced itself from the violent protests, condemning the bloodshed and calling for peace. City officials condemned the violence and its effect on public transit, with Councillor Rob Quintas stating:It is absolutely tragic that thousands of households cannot earn a living and are prevented from commuting to work, and even to school, because of the sustained attacks on other public transport services across the city. There can be no discussion or negotiations for as long as the violence and intimidation continues.The strike ended Thursday, with SANTACO announcing an agreement had been reached with the government and the improperly impounded vehicles will be released by authorities in the next 14 days. Mayor of Cape Town Geordin Hill-Lewis confirmed the end of the strike as well.