The affects of the wildcat strike by MyCiti bus drivers have been felt by many who have opted for the faster more efficient way of travelling to work in and around the City. Not only are the commuters on the Atlantis and Dunoon route stranded but they have now been targeted by disgruntled striking drivers, while being transported by other vehicle operating companies.

Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Brett Herron said that the City of Cape Town has not met with the workers as they are employed by Kidrogen the company has a contract with the City to operate the bus service.

Herron called for an end to all forms of intimidation, attacks, violence on the busses and for striking drivers to follow the proper process laid down in the labour law.

Herron added that their conduct is unlawful and he will not be persuaded to engage with them if they are conducting themselves in a manner outside of the law.

“The City hasn’t met with the drivers as they have not notified us that they were unhappy or that they intended to strike nor did they follow the labour law process when they are in dispute with their employer,” said Herron.

While the City is not the employer, it does however have an interest in the operating of the MyCiti bus service.

At the moment the City has three other vehicle operating companies that are operating on the MyCiti route that are operating the busses for the City, while the drivers are on this strike.

The service on the Dunoon area has been completely suspended due to the high levels of intimidation and violence toward passengers and those drivers who are willing to work.

Herron said that given the manner in which they are currently behaving, and have resorted to violence and intimidation, the City cannot meet with them under the circumstances.

“I call upon them to stop the violence, to renounce it, to follow the processes that are provided for in the law and I will be happy to reason with them,” Herron added.

VOC has been unsuccessful in contacting Nico McLachlan who represents Kidrogen, to establish the reasons behind the strike. However it has been reported that the strike is as a result of demand for a wage increase. VOC (Imogen Vollenhoven)