Policing the ongoing taxi strike in Cape Town has resulted in law enforcement resources being pulled away from "other policing functions", which has led to opportunistic crimes such as looting.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said on Tuesday that the strike had crippled the transport industry and left two people dead, scores injured and many public and private vehicles torched.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said that "isolated incidents of looting and damage to structures" had been reported and were under investigation.

"We can confirm that police members have arrested and detained suspects in various policing precincts on charges of public violence. Integrated forces will remain deployed to ensure that the safety and security for the inhabitants of the entire province is maintained," he said.

Cape Town Safety and Security MMC JP Smith said on Monday night that there had been "sporadic attempts at looting" at small retail centres and convenience stores, and "numerous offenders were arrested".

According to estimates by Smith, about 100 people were arrested on Monday.

On Tuesday, Winde chaired an extended meeting of the Western Cape cabinet where the provincial government heard updates from police and mayors on the strike.

He said municipal services had been disrupted since Thursday last week, with healthcare and education disproportionately affected in the Cape Town metro.

"It angers and saddens me to see how law-abiding residents are being prevented from going about their everyday lives by this deadly thuggery.

"In our meeting this morning, I again made it clear that those who break the law and place our residents at risk must face the consequences," said Winde.

He called on law enforcement agencies to arrest those blocking roads and shops.

Winde said, "Our main objective is to protect law-abiding residents, businesses and communities; to reopen the economy; and to restore calm and order."

"It is encouraging to see that the leadership of the SA National Taxi Council in the Western Cape is calling for calm."

"I appeal to the council to take every opportunity to ensure that its affiliates respect and abide by the court interdicts granted by the Western Cape High Court to prevent further unrest."

Winde also called for negotiations to continue to end the strike, with further talks to resolve long-standing issues.