The South African cabinet on Thursday condemned the violence sparked by the ongoing strike of taxi drivers in Cape Town, which claimed at least five lives, and ordered the repeal of the city's new rules on taxi control, which gave the authorities the right of confiscation of taxi vehicles in the event of various offenses.
"Cabinet condemns the violence and anarchy in Cape Town and has called on SANTACO to ensure that its protest action is peaceful and does not interfere with the rights of others," the cabinet's statement said.
It also instructed Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga to "ensure that any taxi operating conditions that contradict the laws of the Republic are removed."
The strike disrupted the transportation system in Cape Town, with strikers blocking multiple roads in the city, local media reported. South African Police Minister Bheki Cele said that at least five people, including a UK citizen, were killed in the strike-related violence.