Honourable Speaker,

Let me thank you for finally granting us this opportunity to debate the ongoing minibus taxi strike and governance crisis as a matter of public importance. 

This hopefully marks a turning point for our legislature . 

Last week our request to debate the same issue was turned down . This was a lost opportunity . 

It is common knowledge that since 2019, every request for a debate on a matter of public importance / urgent public importance has been refused by DA appointed speakers. 

We as MPL’s are elected representatives of the people of our province. 

We are accountable to them and the constituencies we serve. 

Part of our task is to bring their concerns, fears , hopes and also ideas to this house. 

We should be listening more. 

We should be opening space for debate and not closing it. 

The Premier and his MEC’s are accountable to this house . Thus , on matters like the taxi strike , they must account here for what they are doing to resolve the current crisis in the minibus taxi industry , community safety and the impact of violence and fear on commuters, our communities, workers and businesses and the education sector. 

Never again should this house be shut out from debating and seeking solutions. 

I want to focus on a clear set of 8 proposals to deal with the crisis and then also point out lessons learned from events of the last week . 

Speaker , these are our proposals : 

1. The City of Cape Town must immediately suspend the impoundment of taxis - this concession by the City 

2. The immediate suspension of the strike - this concession by SANTACO 

3. The appointment of a mediator by the CCMA to establish a mechanism and time-frame to release all minibus taxis that have been unlawfully impounded in conflict with National Legislation 

4. The mediator to determine a process and timeline to address the concerns of the taxi industry, the City, the Province, and the National Department of Transport.

5. A commitment to report back to and engage with communities.

6. Open public participation process to review the City’s bylaw.

7. Active cooperation by the taxi industry with SAPS and law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of commuters, learners, and the community 

8. Active restraint by the City regarding the use of combative communication and actions that risks fueling further tensions.

Our country has a history of racist violence and brutal repression against the majority of South Africans . We have a proud history of gallant resistance to the system of Apartheid and Colonialism. We have a history of deliberate economic exploitation and exclusion. 

But we also have a proud history of resolving conflict , violence and political differences through genuine negotiation and conflict resolution . 

The constitution of our Republic is a product of struggle and also of compromise. It lays out clear values and principles and calls on us to build our country and to redress the injustices of the past via legislation and the allocation of resources. 

As the ANC we support a public transport system which is integrated , safe, affordable and reliable . 

We need to accept that the minibus taxi industry is exactly that - an industry . It is a critical component of public transport in our province along with rail, bus and the rapid bus transport system. 

The taxi industry is largely black owned - with African and Coloured operators and owners having built the industry over decades. 

A lesson we hope the City has learned from this crisis is never to demonise an entire industry. Never to brand an entire industry and its leaders as criminals and thugs. 

A second lesson is not to lie to the people . We have seen the City’s JP Smith openly lying by saying in July this year that impoundments have begun in terms of the new City by law , and then in August saying that not a single taxi has been impounded in terms of this by law ! 

This is the shameless conduct which lies at the root of the conflict , violence , division and disruption which has hit our city. 

It is not surprising that various commentators have referred to JP Smith as the real thug and instigator of this crisis. 

The DA and JP Smith in particular have ignored the lessons of our divided past . Their only response has been to mimic the “ kragdadigheid” of PW Botha and NP . 

They have sought to impose collective punishment. 

Let me make it very clear that as the ANC we condemn all acts of violence, arson, intimidation and lawlessness. We will never compromise on the need to uphold our law and protect and defend our constitutional democracy . 

Those who have committed arson, violence must be brought to book. There can be no negotiation about that.

As the ANC we support the rule of law . 

We will never compromise that fundamental principle of our constitution. 

In this regard the statement by JP Smith , supported  by Mayor Hill Lewis, that they will impound 25 minibus taxis for every vehicle set alight , is nothing but facist collective punishment. This statement not only undermines the rule of law but is directly opposed to our Constitution. 

The perpetrators of arson must be arrested and charged. 

It is critical that Santaco as legitimate leaders of the industry continue to condemn all acts of violence . 

Government must work with and support the industry regarding resolving issues of permits and routes , training of drivers , setting up of businesses and co-operatives in the transport value chain . 

We must also put all our efforts together to get all metro rail lines operational again. This will require all spheres of government to work together. 

It is not surprising that some analysts have labelled the DA’s conduct as a the launch of their election strategy to divide the working class and poor along racial lines and projecting themselves as the custodians of “ law and order”. 

In the process they have caused irreperable damage to the city . 

Damage to property . 

Disruption of education. 

Violence against women and children. 

They have damaged all attempts at healing the divisions in our city. 

They have divided people. 

They have set up a narrative against “them “ and drawn a laager around those who they regard as “ us”. 

This is the DA recipe . Divide and Rule. 

I want to take this opportunity to commend the swift response and intervention by the ANC National Government, in particular Minister Sindy Chikunga and her department. We salute civil society for their role. 

As the ANC and alliance partners we have worked tirelessly since last week with the Minister , the industry and civil society to find immediate and lasting solutions. 

This we will continue to do . 

We have put forward 8 steps as a way out of this crisis. 

As the ANC we will engage with the city, province , the industry and transport sector , communities , business , labour and the faith sector. 

Not only will we seek lasting solutions but well seek to reconcile, unite and build peace in our city and province.