The National Association of Taxi Drivers of Angola (ANATA) has distanced itself from the acts of vandalism committed by “opportunists” against innocent people and public and private property during the taxi drivers’ strike in Luanda, and announced the suspension of the strike, which began this Monday, July 28.
In a statement, ANATA said that the acts of vandalism, looting of warehouses and institutions, rioting, barricades, and damage to public and private vehicles were carried out by opportunists who are not affiliated with the organization.
According to the taxi drivers’ association, the peaceful, orderly, calm, and silent strike scheduled from July 28 to 30 under the motto “stay at home” had been planned over 20 days ago by platforms of associations and taxi cooperatives. However, following a dialogue with the governor of Luanda, the strike has now been called off.
The Angolan capital witnessed episodes of violence, looting, and barricades in the early hours of Monday following the strike called by taxi drivers in protest against fuel price hikes and increased taxi fares, which led to intervention by the Angolan police using various means to disperse the protests.
There were reports of injuries and deaths, as shown in images shared on social media, although these have not yet been confirmed by police authorities. The police reported the arrest of around one hundred people.
“To prevent individuals unrelated to the profession and opportunists with hidden agendas from continuing to disrupt social peace,” ANATA and other associations and cooperatives reiterated that the previously announced strike has been canceled. They urged taxi drivers to resume their work as normal and emphasized that Tuesday would be a regular working day, expressing hope that the return to activity would be carried out with calmness, civility, and discipline. They also affirmed their openness to dialogue with the authorities to improve the conditions of taxi operations.
Over 100 Arrested
The National Police of Angola said that more than 100 people were arrested on suspicion of acts of vandalism. According to the National Police spokesperson, Sub-Commissioner Mateus Rodrigues, the current situation is stable, and the disorder reported in the morning has already been brought under control.
“We have our forces controlling those areas,” said Mateus Rodrigues to the press, noting the seizure of some items “in the possession of individuals who committed acts of violence” recorded in several parts of the Angolan capital. The police reported the destruction of around 20 public transport buses, while the number of damaged private vehicles has yet to be determined.
The spokesperson discouraged citizens from engaging in “any act of disobedience.” According to him, public security forces “will not tolerate such acts of public disorder and will take firm, decisive measures to restore public order at all costs.”
“We want to reiterate and discourage citizens from committing these types of acts. We are investigating (…) we have data, we have images, and we will continue the investigation. All those who participated in looting will be arrested — in addition to these 100, more arrests will follow, and all of them will be brought to justice,” he stated.
Source: DN/Lusa
