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SANTACO strike, and associated violence, lawlessness, have severe impact on City services, residents

‘Unfortunately, the minibus-taxi industry has reneged on commitments to finding a peaceful resolution to the strike which has seen an increase in disruption and violence early this morning, at the start of a new work week. It is absolutely tragic that thousands of households cannot earn a living and are prevented from commuting to work, and even to school, because of the sustained attacks on other public transport services across the city. There can be no discussion or negotiations for as long as the violence and intimidation continues,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas. <h4>Impact on City services</h4><h4>MyCiTi bus service, Dial-a-Ride </h4>The City is monitoring the MyCiTi bus routes, and areas where the Dial-a-Ride service operates, and will continue to do so for as long as the minibus-taxi strike continues. <ul><li>The N2 Express service operating between the Civic Centre and Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha has been suspended until further notice</li><li>The 261 from Adderley station to Century City has been suspended until further notice as well</li><li>All other MyCiTi routes are operational at the moment, including Atlantis, Blaauwberg, Table View and Century City; however, some routes operating close or around Dunoon, Hout Bay and Imizamo Yethu have some buses turning short as necessitated by the situation</li></ul>Law Enforcement vehicles are escorting the buses and vehicles on routes that are volatile, and where incidents of violence have been reported. The situation changes continuously, and the City will keep on suspending and reinstating operations accordingly. <ul><li>In addition, six City vehicles were set alight at the City’s Road Infrastructure Management (RIM) depot in Delft at around 21:00 on Saturday evening, 5 August 2023. The vehicles were parked in front of the depot’s main building; fortunately, there was no damage to the building itself. Depot staff are being deployed taking into account staff safety and no walk-ins will be allowed at Delft until further notice as the area is very volatile at the moment</li><li>Another two vehicles were set alight at the RIM depot in Nyanga</li><li>And four vehicles were set alight at the RIM depot in Khayelitsha. </li></ul>Those who rely on the minibus-taxi industry for commuting are advised to make alternative travel arrangements or arrange to work from home wherever possible. We will keep the public informed as best we can. <h4>Urban Waste Management </h4>The City’s waste collection services have been affected by the violent protests. We request affected residents not to dump illegally and to please keep waste on their property until it is safe to clear the backlog. We urge residents to assist us by cleaning their areas where possible as well as reporting those who dump their waste illegally on 0800 110077. For every fine and conviction, we will offer you a reward from R1 000 up to R5 000. The City regrets any inconvenience during this time. Every effort is being made to ensure services can continue where it is possible and safe to do so, and any remaining backlog will be cleared as soon as possible.<h4>Water and Sanitation services significantly affected </h4>Residents are assured that City teams will respond to service requests as soon as it is possible and safe to do so. Since the implementation of the emergency protocols, the Water and Sanitation Directorate has only been able to attend to emergencies and low risk areas. Unfortunately all services to the growing number of hotspot areas have been temporarily withdrawn, following high levels of volatility. It is clear that there is a concerted effort to target City vehicles and significantly reduce the service capability of the Water and Sanitation Directorate. Numerous incidents of arson and vandalism have been reported, including hijacking and setting alight a sewer maintenance truck in Samora Machel, stoning of service vehicles in transit at various locations, and torching of multiple vehicles stationed at a City depot in Delft. The threatening of City staff during the execution of their functions has also formed part of the impact on our services. Where possible, arrangements have been made for teams to be escorted by security services. In addition our staff travelling to work, particularly those making use of public transport or their own vehicles, have also been negatively impacted by the persistent taxi and related violence, leaving some depots with serious staff deficits which further hampers service delivery during this period, Unfortunately at this stage, the City can no longer guarantee services to informal settlements which remain severely affected, as City staff and contractors are unable to gain access. <h4>Community Services and Health </h4>City Health advises the public that a number of clinics are closed or rendering emergency services only. Clients are advised to postpone clinic visits in affected areas if possible, or visit their nearest alternative facility in their specific area.The following City health facilities are closed:<ul><li>All clinics in Khayelitsha, </li><li>Bloekombos Clinic </li><li>Blue Downs Clinic </li><li>Crossroads 1 Clinic</li><li>Delft South Clinic</li><li>Dr Ivan Toms CDC</li><li>Driftsands Satellite Clinic</li><li>Gugulethu Clinic</li><li>Khayelitsha Environmental Health Office</li><li>Masincedane Clinic</li><li>Muizenberg Clinic</li><li>Mzamomhle Clinic</li><li>Nyanga Environmental Health Office</li><li>Philippi Clinic</li><li>Strandfontein Clinic</li><li>Wallacedene Clinic</li><li>Weltevreden Valley Clinic.</li></ul>The following City clinics are offering limited services:<ul><li>Bloekombos Clinic</li><li>Masiphumelele Clinic</li><li>Seawinds Clinic</li><li>Vuyani Clinic</li></ul>Some library operations too have been affected, and patrons are advised to note the following closures:<ul><li>All libraries in Khayelitsha</li><li>Kraaifontein</li><li>Philippi East</li><li>Weltevreden</li><li>Mfuleni</li><li>Nyanga</li><li>Crossroads Scottsdene</li><li>Delft</li><li>Eikendal </li></ul>Lotus River, Grassy Park and Masiphumulele libraries are offering limited services.Rocklands, Belhar and Lentegeur libraries are offering a drop-off service only, until further notice.<h4>Some electricity services disrupted </h4>City electricity services continue to be impacted in areas in the metro south, and south east, including Gugulethu, Mitchells Plain, Mfuleni, and Hout Bay. Some depots in area north are closed, including in Langa, Joe Slovo, Heideveld, Manenberg, and Hanover Park. Please note that service disruptions in one area often impact other areas as well. For the time being, teams are only deployed for emergency work if accompanied by law enforcement. The City apologises for the inconvenience. <h4>Customer offices: Account payments, housing offices, motor vehicle registrations</h4>The City's customer offices continue to be impacted with limited service in affected areas. The following City Customer offices are closed. <ul><li>Fezeka Customer office</li><li>Belhar Walk-in Centre </li><li>Delft Walk-in Centre </li><li>Stocks and Stocks (Khayelitsha) Walk-in Centre</li><li>Brackenfell DLTC</li></ul>The safety of customers and our staff is our priority. We ask customers to please phone ahead to see if an office is open or to make use of online services where possible. Municipal accounts may be paid online payments at <a href="http://www.powertime.co.za/">www.powertime.co.za</a> and <a href="http://www.easypay.co.za/">www.easypay.co.za</a>. For account payments: <ul><li>Online: <a href="http://www.easypay.co.za/">www.easypay.co.za</a> or<a href="http://www.powertime.co.za/">www.powertime.co.za</a> </li><li>EFTs: Select the City as a bank-listed beneficiary. Use only your nine-digit municipal account number as reference</li><li>Retailers: Shoprite/Checkers, Pick n Pay, PEP, Woolworths, USave, Ackermans, Lewis, Top It Up and selected Spar shops</li><li>ATM: contact your bank to add the City as an ATM beneficiary </li></ul>Register on e-Services<ul><li>Renew vehicle licences</li><li>Submit water/electricity readings</li><li>Pay municipal accounts online (debit order payment option, only)</li><li>View current account and account history</li><li>Apply to receive accounts via email </li><li>Log service requests</li></ul>To register for e-Services visit: <a href="https://eservices.capetown.gov.za/">https://eservices.capetown.gov.za/</a>Please follow CTAlerts on Twitter/X for updates on service disruptions. End

2023-08-06T22:00:00Z

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