Infrastructure damage exceeds R4m after taxi protest chaos in Cape Town
Case docket opened over video showing people flung from taxi in CBD
Image: Esa Alexander
Infrastructure damage caused during a taxi protest exceeds R4m, according to initial assessments provided by the City of Cape Town.
Three city traffic officers received medical treatment after being attacked on the N2 during the protest that disrupted the peak hour morning commute in parts of the city.
“Initial assessments after Thursday’s destructive taxi protest indicate that infrastructure damage runs well over R4m,” said mayoral committee member JP Smith in a statement on Sunday.
“This is just based on the damages that the city is aware of, and has been able to confirm with various property owners and entities affected by the violence.”
Losses incurred during the protest included:
- Golden Arrow Bus Services: R3.5m
- City of Cape Town: R275,000
- Private vehicles: R380,000 (estimated)
“These figures do not include the damage to private vehicles where we have not been able to make contact with the owners,” said Smith.
“Nor does it take into account the economic losses suffered by individuals and businesses because of the traffic gridlock that meant people could not get to work on time, make deliveries on time or meet their obligations to clients.
“Not to mention the innocent bystanders who were hurt trying to escape attacks on vehicles and who would have had to spend money to pay for medical care; who might be losing out on time at work due to physical or emotional trauma.”
The injured included three traffic officers. Vehicles were stoned, petrol bombed, hijacked and looted during the protest.
Smith said a damage assessment report had been submitted to the city’s legal services branch.
“It cannot be the case that those behind violent protests are let off the hook time and again.
“A video has been doing the rounds which shows a taxi driving recklessly in the Cape Town CBD and as a result, two people fell out of the vehicle while it was in motion. The city’s traffic department has handed over a case docket for reckless and negligent driving to the SAPS.”
The city has previously instituted civil say against protest organisers and Smith said officials would “do everything possible to do the same in this instance”.
TimesLIVE