The City of Cape Town has also suspended MyCiTi bus services, citing safety concerns.
The suspension will affect 71 000 MyCiTi commuters.
“However, the lockout is necessary to ensure the safety of our passengers and personnel, as well as to protect our assets,” said Brett Herron, Mayoral Committee Member for Transport and Urban Development.
Golden Arrow, together with the Sarpbac (South African Road Passenger Bargaining Council), have been in wage negotiations for weeks, and yesterday reached a deadlock.
Sarpbac has yet to reveal union demands and how long the strike is expected to last.
In a statement, Golden Arrow said the strike will affect “the entire South African bus industry” and leave thousands stranded.
“Unfortunately, as a result of deadlocked wage negotiations, the unions’ party to the South African Road Passengers Bargaining Council has given notice of the intention to embark upon strike action on April 12.
“Golden Arrow is not in a position to remedy the current situation as Sarpbac comprises employer associations and unions representing the entire South African bus industry.
“As a result of the strike action, Golden Arrow will institute a company-wide lockout in order to ensure the safety of our passengers and staff for the duration of the strike.
“All services are therefore suspended from 00h01 on 12 April 2017 until further notice,” it said, adding this drastic decision was not taken lightly.
The company said current clipcards will remain valid once services resume.
Gary Wilson, General Secretary of Sarpbac, says: “We will continue to engage parties in order to avoid the strike and will continue to place updates on our Facebook page as to when this happens.”
Herron said the City would engage with Metrorail and the South African National Taxi Council to see if bus commuters could make use of their services.
He also called on motorists to carpool to help ease congestion.