KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has re-appointed MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma to lead government business in the province during a two-day Cabinet Lekgotla that was held at the Archie Gumede Conference Centre in Mayville, in Durban.
Duma held the position under the Sixth Administration under former Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
Accepting the nomination, Duma said that he was delighted and assured the people of KwaZulu-Natal that he is going to work hard which he said was critical at this point in time because the seventh-term has also been characterised with the formulation of enhancing that we become selfless as leaders.
‘We must also occupy our role in ensuring that at the co-centre we service our communities, ” said Duma.
On the issue related to the of road blockages Duma said he has already interacted with the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and different taxi associations
Tis comes after illegal taxi operators blocked a road in Mayiwane, Ulundi, on Monday morning, and the blockaded the R34 in Empangeni Mill, on Tuesday morning.
The road in Empangeni was later re-opened following intervention by law enforcement agencies and the department.
MEC Duma said the issue of permits is something “we must go to deeper details because before you buy or procure the taxi you must have a permit and comply, and if you are not complying than the applicability is always crucial but warned against short circuit the matters.
Duma said the taxi industry is key in the province as almost 70% of the KZN people are commuting with the taxis on a daily basis.
He added that the taxi industry is a backbone and the pillar in the province which is why he stressed that government collaborate with the taxi industry to compliment and assist them.
Duma promised to promised to deal with the conflict issues which emanated in Ulundi.