A minibus taxi drivers' strike in Cape Town has brought the city's public transportation system to a standstill, resulting in violence that claimed three lives, authorities stated on Monday.

The strike, initiated by minibus taxi drivers who play a crucial role in the daily commute for many working-class South Africans, began last Thursday. It was triggered by confrontations between the drivers and city officials over a new municipal by-law. This by-law grants the city the authority to seize vehicles for various offenses, including driving without a license, not displaying registration plates, and overloading.

Tensions escalated when 15 minibus taxis were impounded on Tuesday, leading to widespread disruption. Commuters were left stranded at bus and taxi stations across the city, with some choosing to walk home during the late hours of the night while others spent the night at the stations amidst outbreaks of violence in the area.

On Friday night, a police officer was shot dead while patrolling a township southeast of Cape Town. Authorities did not rule out the possibility of the incident being related to the strike, as the officers were engaged in efforts to prevent taxi-related incidents at the time of the shooting.

In another unfortunate development, a person was shot and killed, and three others were injured when a motorist was targeted with stones along the road to the city's airport. A third fatality, a 28-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds, was discovered nearby in an attack believed to be taxi-related.

The blockade on the road to the airport caused disruptions and prompted the British High Commission to advise travelers against driving to the airport due to potential risks.

Demonstrations to continue until Wednesday

SANTACO, the South African National Taxi Council, stated that around 6,000 vehicles had been impounded since the start of the year. The council said that their actions were in protest of arbitrary impoundment operations by the government, leaving them with no alternative but to demonstrate against the policy.

Local government officials acknowledged that the recent events displayed a degree of premeditation and an attempt to target city staff and infrastructure. Public buses and city vehicles were set ablaze, while private cars were subjected to acts of vandalism, arson, and gunshots. Some medical clinics had to close or operate at limited capacity due to the unrest.

The situation also saw instances of looting, with protestors making off with various items such as household appliances, clothing, and alcohol. Law enforcement detained five individuals for suspected possession of stolen property.

SANTACO announced that demonstrations will continue until Wednesday after negotiations with the government failed over the weekend.

Later, the organization condemned all actions of violence, stating that they are "aggrieved by the perception of the public" that views them as "lawless."

SANTACO stressed that the protests do not aim to injure or harm the public, in turn alienating them from the protests, as they called on all of their members to conduct themselves in a "peaceful and lawful manner."