Commuters were left stranded on Thursday as drivers halted operations from Kwa-Thema to Springs in protest against the Springs Taxi Association.
The newly elected drivers’ forum, under the Springs Taxi Association, wants the association to attend to the needs of the drivers.
“The workers feel that those grievances have been ignored by the association and taxi owners for so long. The drivers grew desperate,” said Thulani Thela, the forum’s chairperson.
The forum was formed three weeks ago, and their new committee was selected to represent the drivers in the Springs Taxi Association.
Thela said the committee was welcomed by the association soon after they were elected. Lyric Tau, PRO of the Springs Taxi Association, agreed to this.
After their first meeting, two weeks ago, the two committees were set to meet again.
“The executive of the association did not get back to us as quickly as they said they would. That is when the workers decided that we should demonstrate. The shutdown was meant to get their attention,” explained Thela.
Also read: Taxi commuter robbed
Upon hearing the news of the shutdown, the association wrote to law enforcement and distanced themselves from the protest.
The driver’s forum members then abandoned their taxis on Thursday morning leaving commuters hoping to travel from Kwa-Thema Springs stranded.
The Springs Taxi Association had organised a meeting with their members, who are taxi owners, on Thursday.
“We thought it would be the best day to have the shutdown since the executive would be with our bosses,” added Thela.
The forum representatives then went to the meeting to hand over their memorandum of grievances to the executive of the association.
“We have received their grievances and we are willing to sit down with them to come up with resolutions. We have to find a way to work together harmoniously because we fall under the same umbrella,” said Tau.
Taxi operations from Kwa-Thema to Springs have since been restored.
Follow us on our social media platforms:
