The Western Cape National Taxi Alliance ended its strike on Wednesday evening, SABC radio news reported. This, following a meeting with the Department of Transport in Bellville. NTA spokesperson Mvuyisi Mente said they agreed to set up proposals to deal with issues relating to the Bus Rapid Transport system. He said services would be up and running on Thursday.
Earlier on Wednesday, commuters were left stranded by the loss of taxi services and an ongoing illegal bus strike. "Commuters have really been inconvenienced," said city spokesperson Kylie Hatton. Hatton said law enforcement officials were on stand-by but no incidents of violence had been reported.
The strike by Golden Arrow bus drivers continued into its second day on Wednesday despite an interdict granted by the Labour Court on Tuesday afternoon.
The company said about 70 percent of its buses were affected, and the strike had severely disrupted services.
Golden Arrow manager Francois Meyer said the court had declared the strike unprotected, and ordered the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union and its members to not block depot entrances.
"Golden Arrow is now putting in place processes that will ensure that all participants in this illegal strike are forced to face the consequences of their actions," he said.
The strike "continues to prevent the provision of scheduled bus services", Meyer said.
He rejected the strikers' claims of management racism and harassment.
Golden Arrow followed a strict code of conduct, and every remedy, including arbitration and the Labour Court, was available to enforce worker rights.
