“We are sitting ducks.”
These are the words of a Phoenix resident describing the atmosphere in Phoenix yesterday following the taxi protests in Joe Slovo. The resident who asked to remain anonymous says due to the close proximity of the two areas, residents spent the night gripped in fear as tyres burnt and tear gas filled the air.
“People in Phoenix struggled to access their homes. Police were diverting traffic, but those who live in Phase 2 had no choice. The taxis parked in Phoenix, people burned tyres in Joe Slovo then raced through our roads trying to avoid the police. Children and adults were coughing because of the tear gas. Because we are so close, we are sitting ducks,” he says.
Meanwhile police confirm no incidents have been reported this morning and taxi drivers are currently hosting a meeting.
Yesterday the City of Cape Town condemned the attack on the Phoenix MyCiTi station while a taxi driver told TygerBurger they were protesting about the roll-out of new MyCiTi routes.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Daphne O’Reilly says while no incident have been reported this morning a case of public violence and malicious damage to property was opened at the station.
“The malicious damage to property case relates to the delivery truck that was burnt. The public violence case is due to the burning of tyres and stone throwing which happened yesterday.”
At this stage no arrests have been made.
According to a statement released late yesterday by City of Cape Town Mayco member for transport, Brett Herron, the attack on the station has been reported to Milnerton police.
“Furthermore, a MyCiTi bus operating along Route 251 (Century City, Montague Gardens) was stoned in Montague Drive at around 09:30 this morning (Tuesday 15 March). Thankfully, nobody was injured. There is absolutely no excuse for this criminal behaviour. The City will assist in whatever way we can to identify the perpetrators. A criminal case has been opened and the local police station in Milnerton is investigating these incidents. I am confident that those responsible will be apprehended in due course.”
The extent of the damage to the station is still being assessed and the costs will be determined in due course. The Phoenix station will be closed for at least two to three weeks. “This is a huge inconvenience to the approximately 1 200 commuters who make use of this station on a daily basis.”
