Taxi strike finally over
Taxi industry strike ends after hours-long meeting on Thursday night.
TAXIS returned to Durban roads on Friday, 25 September after a four-day suspension.
This came after an all-day meeting between KZN government, the eThekwini Municipality and the taxi leadership, which ended late on Thursday night.
The KZN government, together with eThekwini Municipality, created a platform that will expedite the process of releasing the remaining 85 impounded minibus taxis.
However, a proposal by government to ensure that the 85 vehicles are released by today Friday, 25 September, after following the court process, was rejected by members of the taxi industry.
In the high-level meeting with KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu, city manager, Sibusiso Sithole, city and KZN Transport Department officials on Wednesday, 23 September, the taxi industry demanded that vehicles be released by the municipality free of charge.
However, an impounded vehicle is only released to the owner after following proper legal processes and paying a fine, which is determined by the court. This process is in line with the National Land Transport Act.
Since Monday, 21 September, 81 minibus taxis have been released following the payment of a R1 500 fine if the owner of the vehicle presents a valid route permit. A fine of R3 000 was imposed if owners failed to produce a route permit.
Members of the taxi industry went on strike after the Metro Police impounded 305 vehicles during a joint enforcement operation with the South African Police Service, which was conducted from 18 to 20 September in eThekwini.
Of the 305 impounded vehicles, 163 were minibus taxis.
To minimise the impact on commuters, eThekwini Municipality has requested that the Passenger Rail Association of South Africa increase the number of trains and Durban Transport buses are also operating to ferry commuters.
Law enforcement has been beefed up. Members of the South African Police Service and Metro Police are monitoring the situation and will not hesitate to act swiftly if any incidents of violence flare-up.
Commuters are urged to be on high alert and to report acts of violence, vandalism and intimidation to the Metro Police number 031 361 0000 and SAPS on the number 10111.
“An agreement was reached last night and every vehicle will be released. The strike is over,” Stembiso Duma, PRO for the eThekwini Metro Management Taxi Council said on Friday.
