Strike-hit Western Cape 'behaving like an island' - Mbalula
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says the Western Cape behaves as if it is “an island” and not part of South Africa.
His remarks come as the violent taxi strike in the province entered its second week on Thursday.
At least five people have died since the start of the stay-away by the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco).
Taxi operators in the province are unhappy about what they believe to be unfair traffic laws in the city, which often lead to the impounding of vehicles.
While condemning the act of violence, Mbalula said the party supports the taxi operators.
"This matter affects our people. We have been in talks with Santaco, and we have told them that your demands are legit but do not burn your own people in buses. The legitimacy of your decisions is undermined by erratic activities.
"But your demands as the ANC, we are with you. We are with Santaco on what they are fighting for and the intervention of the minister guided by the National Land Transport Act.
"There is this problem we are dealing with in South Africa that Western Cape is an island. It wants to project itself as the people who uphold the rule of law. You can never resolve the issue of mobility and public means of transport for the working class and think that you can resolve it without the taxi industry."
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