Eastern Cape taxi operators embark today on a province-wide protest where they will march to government offices in Bhisho to hand over a petition.
Operators are demanding taxi operating licences from the department of transport. They complain that without it, their vehicles are constantly impounded by law-enforcement officers.
The march was supposed to take place earlier in the week but was postponed to today.
Santaco provincial chairwoman Noluntu Mahashe said despite difficulties from government, the march will go ahead.
“We contribute greatly to the economy and we want to receive benefits,” said Mahashe.
The planned total shut-down will affect thousands of commuters as some taxi operators say they will block roads to monitor those operators who are not supporting their cause.
Private vehicles, buses and trains are also expected to be affected.
East London police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said the police will be on high alert.
Transport department spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca said they were in the process of putting a moratorium through planning authorities on issuing of operating licences to all non-contracted services so as to verify the supply and demand.
“This was influenced by a number of violent incidents where associations were fighting over routes. It became glaringly obvious that the routes are saturated and this is the main reason behind delays in issuing operating licences,” said Kumbaca.
He added that the department had decided to engage with local planning authorities to verify routes before it could adjudicate over new applications.
“The department has since communicated with the industry that as from June 20 the provincial regulatory entity will start its adjudication process in all districts as per its schedule.”
Santaco accused transport MEC Weziwe Tikana of not favouring them in the industry and of taking them out of business. Kumbaca said this was untrue.
“The MEC continues to hold all departmental stakeholders in high esteem including the public transport industry roleplayers,” said Kumbaca.
The march is expected to start at 9am from the Victoria Grounds in King William’s Town and proceed to Bhisho.
Taxi protests to block EL roads
Operators are demanding taxi operating licences from the department of transport. They complain that without it, their vehicles are constantly impounded by law-enforcement officers.
The march was supposed to take place earlier in the week but was postponed to today.
Santaco provincial chairwoman Noluntu Mahashe said despite difficulties from government, the march will go ahead.
“We contribute greatly to the economy and we want to receive benefits,” said Mahashe.
The planned total shut-down will affect thousands of commuters as some taxi operators say they will block roads to monitor those operators who are not supporting their cause.
Private vehicles, buses and trains are also expected to be affected.
East London police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said the police will be on high alert.
Transport department spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca said they were in the process of putting a moratorium through planning authorities on issuing of operating licences to all non-contracted services so as to verify the supply and demand.
“This was influenced by a number of violent incidents where associations were fighting over routes. It became glaringly obvious that the routes are saturated and this is the main reason behind delays in issuing operating licences,” said Kumbaca.
He added that the department had decided to engage with local planning authorities to verify routes before it could adjudicate over new applications.
“The department has since communicated with the industry that as from June 20 the provincial regulatory entity will start its adjudication process in all districts as per its schedule.”
Santaco accused transport MEC Weziwe Tikana of not favouring them in the industry and of taking them out of business. Kumbaca said this was untrue.
“The MEC continues to hold all departmental stakeholders in high esteem including the public transport industry roleplayers,” said Kumbaca.
The march is expected to start at 9am from the Victoria Grounds in King William’s Town and proceed to Bhisho.
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