Commuter chaos as Cape Town burns

Cape Town was flung into chaos at the hands of aggrieved taxi drivers this morning. Mayor Patricia de Lille believes the violence is politically motivated.

The drivers -  from Nyanga, Khayelitsha and Gugulethu - allegedly torched seven Golden Arrow buses and attempted to burn down another four.

After authorities closed down a section of the N2, thousands were late for work, people missed their flights and schools were closed.

De Lille said her office had been informed of "sporadic stoning incidents'' in Nyanga and Philippi.

"Reports from the ground make it unclear what the exact reason for today's violence has been. However, it is clear from the fact that these were well planned and simultaneous attacks that the action is politically motivated and is a continuation of the sustained campaign to make the city ungovernable ahead of the 2016 local government elections,'' said De Lille.

She challenged the ANC to publicly condemn the violence.

Police confirmed that a taxi driver had been shot.

"A 39-year-old man from Zwelitsha, Nyanga was found shot dead this morning whilst on his way to work,'' said police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk.

"Witnesses heard gun shots at about 06:15.''

The man's firearm was also stolen. Van Wyk said no injuries had been reported.

By 10am children at the Nyanga taxi rank were playing among the charred bus wrecks. The roads were covered in petrol and broken glass.

According to JP Smith, mayoral committee member for safety, the drivers took to the streets for several reasons. One of their biggest issues centres around a salary dispute with taxi owners.

Smith said buses were targeted because they pose a threat to taxi operations.

A taxi driver, who did not want to be named, said they also have a problem with the high number of traffic fines they attract. "We do not want to pay tickets. Metro police should scrap our tickets,'' he said.

Meanwhile the drama was condemned by Donald Grant - Western Cape Transport and Public Works MEC. He said thousands of commuters make use of buses every day.

"As Minister, I condemn such acts of vandalism in the strongest terms. The perpetrators of these very serious crimes must be made to face the full might of the law. We will support all efforts to ensure that this happens, and that these criminals are brought to book for their crimes,'' said Grant.