This Wednesday marks the last of three days of taxi service shutdowns in Luanda province, in protest against rising fuel prices and the consequent increase in transportation fares in the capital. This strike has been marked by acts of vandalism and violence, including looting of commercial establishments, stoning of vehicles and trains, burning of tires and garbage containers, and road barricades.
Speaking to reporters, TCUL spokesperson André Gomes said that in the last two days, the company has stopped transporting more than 500,000 passengers, with ten buses vandalized, resulting in losses amounting to 48 million kwanzas.
According to André Gomes, service will begin this Wednesday with 70 buses, and the safety of passengers, drivers, and vehicles is guaranteed by authorities.
André Gomes lamented the riots and vandalism of public and private vehicles over the last two days.
"What we witnessed is truly a genuine crime, because a strike is not synonymous with vandalism. Therefore, we urge the public, especially those who have had direct contact with this misdeed, not to engage in this type of behavior," he emphasized.
MACON, a private urban passenger transportation company, also resumed operations this Wednesday after registering the vandalism of at least 12 buses. The company is still calculating the financial losses incurred between Monday and Tuesday.
Armando Macedo, from MACON's commercial department, emphasized that the strike harmed both citizens and the company, adding that the resumption of operations will be gradual.
Armando Macedo emphasized the collaboration with the National Police and the Provincial Government of Luanda to ensure the safety of users and vehicles.
The latest report from the Angolan National Police indicates five deaths—including a police officer—, 1214 arrests, and the destruction of 45 stores, 25 private vehicles, 20 public buses, and three bank branches.
On Tuesday, National Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Mateus Rodrigues assured that the public security situation in Luanda is considered stable and that arrests will continue.
Mateus Rodrigues also highlighted the record of some incidents in the provinces of Huambo and Icolo e Bengo, emphasizing that the situation was already under control.
Earlier this month, the price of diesel increased from 300 to 400 kwanzas per liter as part of the government's gradual withdrawal of fuel subsidies, which began in 2023, leading to an adjustment in public transportation fares.
Faced with rising diesel prices, the National Land Transportation Agency (ANTT) increased the fare for shared taxis (occasional passenger transport) from 200 to 300 kwanzas and the fare for urban buses from 150 to 200 kwanzas.
The strikers emphasize that more than 15 days have passed without the government "hearing the taxi drivers' cry for help," which is why "the taxi associations and cooperatives ANATA, ATA, CTMF, ATLA, CTCS, 2PN, and AB-TAXI" have decided to suspend services.
