Taxi strike: Eskom suspends service in Wallacedene, Bloekombos

Eskom suspended its services to Wallacedene and Bloekombos on Monday evening to ensure the safety of its staff, the power utility said in a statement.

Eskom spokesman Kyle Cookson said the ongoing taxi strike had forced them to withdraw their service to more areas affected by taxi-related violence.

This followed suspension of services, on Friday, in Khayelitsha, Delft, Belhar, Dunoon, Philippi and Fisantekraal after an Eskom vehicle was petrol-bombed on Friday morning in Khayelitsha.

Mr Cookson said an Eskom employee in the vehicle had been off-duty at the time. He claimed the incident was taxi-related.

“Unfortunately, this will affect the electricity restoration times to these areas and only once the areas are declared safe will operators be dispatched to continue work,” Mr Cookson said.

Meanwhile, mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said seven City vehicles had been damaged or destroyed after they were petrol-bombed at a municipal depot in Delft on Saturday.

The Western Cape branch of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) launched the strike last Thursday over impoundments of taxis. The strike is set to end on Wednesday.

Santaco has called on its members to conduct themselves in a peaceful and lawful manner as they engage with government to find solutions.