A total of 231 pupils missed school and three MyCiti buses were damaged during the Hout Bay informal taxi protest on Monday morning, leading to the suspension of their services in the area.
Although authorities say peace has been restored and cleaning is under way on Main and Victoria roads, Bronagh Hammond, spokesperson for the Western Cape education department confirmed that 231 pupils at Disa Primary School were affected.
“Disa Primary School in Hout Bay was affected, as 231 learners did not report for school. It is unclear at this stage how many teachers were affected.
“We appeal for calm and for the opportunity for learners to attend school – which is their basic right,” she said.
The informal taxi protest started at the Imizamo Yethu Circle between the Main and Victoria roads at 7am and spread towards Suikerbossie Street and Constantia Nek, with protesters burning tyres and stoning motorists.
The City of Cape’s Town law enforcement agencies together with the SAPS eventually calmed the situation and reportedly met with protesters, while the MyCiti and Dial-A-Ride services remain suspended for safety reasons.
City’s Mayco member for urban mobility, Rob Quintas, explained: “We have confirmation that three MyCiti buses have been stoned in Imizamo Yethu, one of which was petrol-bombed. Thankfully, we have not been informed of any injuries to passengers or bus drivers.
“I condemn the violence in the strongest possible terms. Fire and stones will not resolve anything, we all need to abide by the law and engage in a peaceful and respectful manner.
“Any behaviour that results in learners and workers not being able to commute, as well residents feeling unsafe and being the victims of violence, and any damage to public or private property must be condemned for the thuggish and brutish activities that they are.
“This suspension of MyCiTi and DAR services has a direct impact on the livelihoods of these passengers as they depend on the availability of public transport services, but we cannot risk their safety while this unrest continues.
The City said it would continue to engage with the Hout Bay Taxi Association and meet with the leadership from the community to find a solution.
Earlier, police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said: “Public Order Police and the Hout Bay SAPS are monitoring a transport-related protest (and the) law enforcement agencies will remain in the area to monitor the situation.
“About 50 protesters took to the street, and a bus was damaged. A public violence case was registered at the Hout Bay SAPS for investigation,” he said.