Faizel Patel – 22/06/2020
Photo: The South African
Gauteng MEC for Transport Jacob Mamabolo says government is not only discussing the compensation for taxi owners but also how to take the industry forward.
It has been a difficult Monday for commuters from all around Gauteng, but mostly in Tshwane, the Vaal, Ekurhuleni and the West Rand, as members of the taxi organisation The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) went on a strike.
The shutdown is in protest of government’s R1.135 billion relief fund announced on Friday, which operators describe as a “pittance” that would not address the effects of the Covid-19 national lockdown regulations on the industry.
The transport department says each driver will benefit five thousand rand each from the fund saying it cannot go beyond this amount.
Speaking to Radio Islam, Mambolo says the discussion with the taxi industry is ongoing.
“A breakthrough for me tomorrow is not about rand’s and cents, A breakthrough for me is when the parties find each other as good partners to move forward.”
Some commuters claim that they were intimidated by the strikers resulting in the deployment of police and soldiers to defuse tensions and to assist with directing traffic.
Mambolo says they condemn the violence.
“That is a serious setback for the taxi industry that it continues to present itself as this industry where violence is the only language that is spoken.
Two weeks ago, taxi operators issued a directive that taxi fares would increase from R11 to R30 for a single trip from Alexandra to Sandton. However, the increases – which were scheduled to come into effect on June 15 – were put on hold after interventions from government and national operators.
The new fare increases, which will be capped at R7 across the country, will kick in on 1 July.
Listen to the interview with Jacob Mamabolo
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