KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma has said his department’s Roving Taxi Industry Conflict Management Task Team is working around the clock to bring stability in the public transport sector especially the taxi industry following the recent route disputes witnessed in Ulundi Mahlabathini Association.
The MEC’s office together with the Task Team recently met with South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and some taxi associations to iron out their differences which in most cases affect commuters.
Recently, MEC Duma also intervened in Ugu District when taxi operators expressed dissatisfaction with the Operation Shanela operations which resulted in a two-day shutdown.
MEC Duma has outlined that the meetings agreed that the members return to their Nkonjeni, Mkhazane and Ezihlabeni routes.
– Affected members made an undertaking that they would return and operate at the approved ranking facilities.
Members and the executive agreed to settle their differences.
– The association will proceed to assist those who have operating licenses that have lapsed.
– The meeting further agreed that Operation Shanela should assist in ensuring that all routes are operated by authorized vehicles.
– Minibus taxis that are found operating outside the approved taxi rank will be subjected to a legal process that could lead to operating licenses being rescinded.
On the issue involving registered members of the Ikhwezi Local and Long Distance Taxi Association in Phongola, MEC Duma’s office reported that the members of the association resolved that, in line with the High Court ruling, the Durban and Johannesburg routes will be operated by all members.
– Each member shall bring one vehicle to operate the long-distance routes.
– The association further resolved that all long-distance routes would be operated equally.
– Members who elect not to operate long-distance routes are at liberty to stick to the local routes.
– The association has a limit of three operating licenses per member.
– One vehicle operates long-distance routes, and two operate local routes.
– The executive committee will be assisted by the SANTACO Regional Executive committee in drawing a schedule for long-distance operations.
– The schedule will be implemented from 12 August 2024.
– The department and SANTACO will monitor the situation to ensure that the schedule is implemented as agreed.
The MEC added that “our hardworking Roving Taxi Industry Conflict Management Task Team from the department’s Provincial Regulatory Entity remains hard at work. They will continue to resolve disputes and ensure the stability of public transport sector”.