Protesting taxi operators called off their strike yesterday, on condition premier Phumulo Masualle’s government resolves the outstanding matters within seven days, government spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said yesterday.
This follows a meeting the taxi operators’ leaders held with Masualle at State House before they handed over their memorandum of demands at the Bhisho Stadium.
Operations at several Eastern Cape towns, townships and villages came to a complete standstill as hundreds of angry taxi drivers blockaded main roads into and out of townships such as Mdantsane, Cuba in Butterworth, Mthatha’s Ngangelizwe as well as Zwelitsha in King William’s Town from as early as 4am yesterday.
This saw thousands of commuters being left stranded and motorists unable to get to their workplaces for most of yesterday morning.
In Mdantsane, commuters were only allowed in and out of the township after Masualle met taxi operators at State House.
Kupelo said: “What I know at this stage is that the strike has been called off pending the outcome of the engagement of the two parties.
“The taxi operators gave the premier and his government seven days to respond to their (operators’) demands.”
Among their demands:
- Immediate issuing of operating permits;
- Scrapping of all tickets issued for lack of permits; and
- Implementation of the public transport integrated master plan.
King William’s Town came to standstill between 11am and 1pm yesterday when agitated taxi owners drove to State House and demanded the premier address them.
On their arrival taxi industry leaders and the premier’s office decided to take the meeting to the Bhisho Stadium where the premier received the petition.
Masualle vowed to find amicable solutions to the grievances of the taxi industry.
The premier addressed more than 1000 taxi owners who were delegated by sub-regions across the province to hand over a petition.
Masualle said starting from today the premier’s office together with the leaders of the taxi operators would sit and find ways of solving the problems.
Masualle in move to end taxi strike
This follows a meeting the taxi operators’ leaders held with Masualle at State House before they handed over their memorandum of demands at the Bhisho Stadium.
Operations at several Eastern Cape towns, townships and villages came to a complete standstill as hundreds of angry taxi drivers blockaded main roads into and out of townships such as Mdantsane, Cuba in Butterworth, Mthatha’s Ngangelizwe as well as Zwelitsha in King William’s Town from as early as 4am yesterday.
This saw thousands of commuters being left stranded and motorists unable to get to their workplaces for most of yesterday morning.
In Mdantsane, commuters were only allowed in and out of the township after Masualle met taxi operators at State House.
Kupelo said: “What I know at this stage is that the strike has been called off pending the outcome of the engagement of the two parties.
“The taxi operators gave the premier and his government seven days to respond to their (operators’) demands.”
Among their demands:
King William’s Town came to standstill between 11am and 1pm yesterday when agitated taxi owners drove to State House and demanded the premier address them.
On their arrival taxi industry leaders and the premier’s office decided to take the meeting to the Bhisho Stadium where the premier received the petition.
Masualle vowed to find amicable solutions to the grievances of the taxi industry.
The premier addressed more than 1000 taxi owners who were delegated by sub-regions across the province to hand over a petition.
Masualle said starting from today the premier’s office together with the leaders of the taxi operators would sit and find ways of solving the problems.
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