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The Congress of South African Trade Unions deplores the violence that has erupted during the protest action by taxi operators against the roll-out of the latest phase of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Johannesburg.

COSATU condemns unreservedly the shooting of commuters, blocking of roads, and burning and stoning of buses. We demand zero tolerance towards anyone who threatens or uses violence against BRT staff or passengers or the general public.

The law enforcement agencies must protect the travelling public and BRT workers, and arrest, prosecute and punish those who are guilty of unlawful acts of violence and intimidation.

Taxi operators have the constitutional right to engage in peaceful protests to defend their interests. But they have no right to violently deny other South Africans their constitutional right to travel to and from work in peace and safety, without being held to ransom by violent protestors.

The BRT system is a very welcome move towards a safer, faster and more punctual and user-friendly form of public transport which has already proved very popular with commuters. Its Phase Two feeder services must continue, so that commuters can more easily access, and make full use of, the buses on the existing routes.