It was business as usual for taxi operators and commuters in Boksburg

The Advertiser visited the Boksburg and East Rand Mall Taxi Ranks and observed that taxis were operating as normal, although there were few taxis

June 24, 2020

Ntombikayise Sibeko 1 minute read

Boksburg commuters were not affected by the Santaco taxi strike, which took place on June 22.

While thousands of people were left stranded across Gauteng on June 22 due to the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) strike, in Boksburg it was business as usual.

The strike was aimed at protesting against the government’s R1.1-billion relief package which was offered to the taxi industry due to the impact of Covid-19 and the national lockdown.

Boksburg commuters didn’t stress about transportation because taxis were available in the morning and afternoon.

All routes in Boksburg were also opened for operations.

Some of the drivers that the advertiser spoke to echoed sentiments that they were in support of the strike because they need government to offer them a better deal.

Paul Magolego, PRO for Vosloorus and Boksburg District Taxi Association, said the reason they continued to operate was that they heard in the media that their federal structure, Top Six Management, which they are affiliated to, said that they would no longer be participating in the strike.

“Our national structure which is the National Taxi Alliance has called for members not to embark on the strike as they await a meeting between them and Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula on June 24 where they will iron out some of the issues that they have. We hope that through that meeting they will reach an agreement,” said Magolego.

Although taxi owners have been offered R5 000 each in relief, they have since requested for a settlement fee of about R20 000 each.

Mbalula refuted, saying that if they offered taxis R20 000 it will increase the figure to about R10-b and government would not afford this.